The Liberal People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has won the general election in Bhutan, paving the way for its leader Tshiring Tobge to become the Prime Minister for the second time.
The PDP secured 30 out of 47 seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, according to the official results announced by the Election Commission of Bhutan on Wednesday.
The opposition Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP), led by former finance minister Tshering Wangchuk, won the remaining 17 seats.
The PDP’s victory marks a comeback for Tobge, who served as the Prime Minister from 2013 to 2018, before losing to the Druk Nyamrup Chogpa (DNC) party in the last election.
The DNC, headed by Lote Tshiring, was the ruling party until it was eliminated in the first round of voting in November, along with two other parties.
Tobge, who founded the PDP in 2007, campaigned on a platform of promoting economic development, social welfare, and environmental protection in the Himalayan nation.
He also pledged to strengthen Bhutan’s relations with its neighbors, especially India, which is the country’s largest trading partner and donor.
Tobge will be sworn in as the Prime Minister for a five-year term by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in a ceremony expected to take place soon.
Bhutan, a constitutional monarchy with a population of about 800,000, is one of the world’s youngest democracies, having held its first parliamentary election in 2008.
The country is known for its unique concept of Gross National Happiness, which measures the well-being of its citizens based on four pillars: good governance, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.
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