Bhutan - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Bhutan, it was name may derive from the Sanskrit words bhoṭa, the name for Tibet, and anta, meaning "end" -- a reference to Bhutan's location at the southernmost end of Tibet; the local Dzongkha name Druk Yul means "Land of the Dragon". The Government system in this country is the constitutional monarchy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuentse, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, Zhemgang
National symbols
Mythical thunder dragon (druk).
The flag
The National flag of Bhutan has .
Info
The National Anthem
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More about the government of Bhutan
| Date of Independence | 17 December 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king); 8 August 1949 (Treaty of Friendship with India maintains Bhutanese independence) |
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| National holiday | National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) |
| Legal system | civil law based on Buddhist religious law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous governing documents were various royal decrees; first constitution drafted November 2001 to March 2005, ratified 18 July 2008 |
| Amendment process | Proposed as a motion by simple majority vote in a joint session of Parliament; passage requires at least a three-fourths majority vote in a joint session of the next Parliament and assent by the king |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | the father must be a citizen of Bhutan |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 10 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Tshering TOBGAY (since 28 January 2024) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers or Lhengye Zhungtshog members nominated by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister and approved by the National Assembly; members serve 5-year terms |
| Election/appointment process | the monarchy is hereditary but can be removed by a two-thirds vote of Parliament; leader of the majority party in Parliament is nominated as the prime minister, appointed by the monarch |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Parliament (Chi Tshog) |
| Legislative structure | Bicameral |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier |
| Subordinate courts | High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Consulate(s) general | 343 East, 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 682-2371 FAX: [1] (212) 661-0551 email address and website: [email protected] https://www.mfa.gov.bt/pmbny/ |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Bhutan
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Bhutan
Want to know more about Bhutan? Check all different factbooks for Bhutan below.
