When did we know?

October 19, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Monarchy
Last week, Bhutan successfully hosted the first Regional Conference on Deepening and Sustaining Democracy in Asia. The Centre for Bhutan Studies and UNDP Bhutan organized the event together. That Bhutan, the world’s youngest democracy, led a major international discussion on deepening democratic values is commendable. It shows how much we’ve matured, politically, since the introduction of parliamentary democracy in our country barely 18 months ago. It also shows how serious we are about our new form of governance. Looking back, it is clear that His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo had carefully prepared us, his people, for democracy. Most…

Your opposition party

October 2, 2009Posted inDemocracy
Part two of the speech I would have delivered to the 2009 graduates: ……………………………………………………………………………..............................................................................…………. Many people think that the opposition party is ineffective. That’s okay. After all, we are most probably the world’s smallest opposition. With only two members – Dasho Damcho and I – against the ruling party’s 45, we can easily be overwhelmed in the National Assembly. And we have been. Many times! So I’ve had people tell me that we should accept the limitations, in numbers, of the opposition. And that we should relax. Not bang our two heads against an unyielding wall. But other people…

Promoting democracy

September 17, 2009Posted inDemocracy
The panel discussion may have been too short. Politicians may have dominated the discussions. And the exchange of views and ideas may have been less than thorough. Still the interactive session, between students and MPs, that was organized by BBS to mark the International Day of Democracy was useful. At the very least, our students understood that it was okay to express their concerns, and question their representatives. Better still, politicians and young citizens could have, together, learnt that democracy is, ultimately, about accountability to the public. It’s been 18 months since our first general elections. That’s 18 months…

Better party

September 15, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Political parties
That a group of people in Thimphu are forming a political party comes as very good news. Our two existing parties – one ruling, the other in opposition – cannot offer sufficient choice for democracy to take hold in our country. So we should be excited about the prospects of a third party. And we should encourage them. But we may need even more people to step forward and form political parties. After all, both the existing parties – DPT and the PDP – have huge loans, and may not be around to participate in the 2013 elections. The…

Our democracy

August 26, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Monarchy
Yesterday, HRH Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck inaugurated a workshop entitled “Democracy in our Place”. During this important workshop, participates will discuss various concepts about democracy and good governance. In her royal address, HRH observed that many of us readily declare that “democracy must succeed in Bhutan.” But for democracy to succeed, HRH commanded that “…it must be relevant to the lives of the citizens, and most importantly it must be beneficial to them.” A gentle reminder for all of us. The workshop, which is being conducted in Hotel Zhiwaling, is organised by the Election Commission of Bhutan. You'll find…

Royal address

August 2, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Monarchy
ROYAL ADDRESS AT THE CONCLUDING CEREMONY OF THE 3rd SESSION OF THE PARLIAMENT, 30 JULY 2007 On the occasion of the concluding ceremony of the 3rd session of Parliament, I congratulate the elected government of the Druk Phuensum Tshokpa on the completion of one year and four months in office. In these early days of a new political system while bearing great responsibilities you have, despite the limited resources, successfully carried out the difficult duties of government in service of the Tsawasum. The Opposition, though comprised of only two members, has through diligence and commitment, fulfilled the important duties…

Walk talk

July 31, 2009Posted inDemocracy
A regular reader, Guest, asked me in “Lobxang’s anger”, my last entry: “Is your party behind this Solidarity Walk? I need to know.” Here’s my answer: “No, PDP is not behind the solidarity walk. And, nor am I.” Ashan, another reader, commented in the same entry: “I just hope that PDP is not behind the Walk.” My answer, again, is that PDP is not behind the walk. We had, and have, nothing to do with it. Now, what I’d like to know is this: why is PDP being linked to today’s walk?

Solidarity

July 30, 2009Posted inDemocracy, People
At about 3:30 AM last Monday, seven boys, all of them students of Tshimasham lower secondary school, lost their lives in the Wangchu. Tomorrow, a group of concerned citizens will participate in a solidarity walk to demonstrate their support to the families of the seven boys. They will also petition the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the tragic incident that claimed the young lives. I join the nation in mourning the loss of the innocent lives, and offer my condolences to the grieving families and friends.

Gift from the Golden Throne

July 18, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Monarchy
One year ago, on 18th July 2008, His Majesty the King signed the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. I am pleased to reproduce below, His Majesty the King’s address to the Nation on that historic day. On this day of destiny, in the blessed land of Pelden Drukpa we, a fortunate People and King, hereby resolve to bring into effect the root and foundation - the very source - of all law in our nation. On such an auspicious occasion, on behalf of the people I offer gratitude to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. During his reign…

Black Friday

July 3, 2009Posted inDemocracy
Today, Friday, July 3, 2009, will be remembered as a dark day in the history of our democracy for two reasons.  One, the National Assembly started imposing its ban on live TV coverage of its proceedings. And two, a cabinet minister refused to report to the National Council for “Question Time”. The National Council had directed the home minister to report to them today, in person, to answer questions. The questions had been sent to him in advance. Lyonpo Minjur, however, did not report to the Council and submitted his answers in writing. The refusal of a cabinet minister…

Inaugural session

June 26, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Legislature, Monarchy
I’m posting the speech I delivered in Parliament today. I’d proposed a vote of thanks for His Majesty the King’s gracious presence during the inaugural ceremony of the third session of the Parliament. The original speech was delivered in Dzongkha. And I spoke from points I had prepared earlier. But I’ve tried my best to translate what I presented into English as accurately as possible. The photograph shows Tshering Tobgay addressing the National Assembly’s second session in January 2009 Vote of Thanks to His Majesty the King Welcome His Majesty the King On this most auspicious day, I, on…

CDG and future elections

May 22, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Government
I called on our Chief Election Commissioner yesterday. I called on him to report that the CDG, if implemented as proposed, will compromise the ECB's ability to conduct future elections to the National Assembly in a free and fair manner. The Constitution (Article 24.1) and the Election Act (Chapter 3.34) specifically require the Election Commission of Bhutan to conduct elections "in a free and fair manner." Why would CDG hinder free and fair elections? Through CDG, our government places Nu 10 million at the disposal of the members of the National Assembly. How that money is used in their…

Social risk

May 14, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Monarchy
About a month ago I’d written about the Political Instability Index, EIU’s forecast of the likelihood of political unrest for165 countries. The Index ranked Norway as the world’s most politically stable country, and Zimbabwe the most volatile. 95 countries were considered “very high risk” or “high risk”; 53 countries “moderate risk”; and only 17 countries were deemed to be “low risk”. Bhutan, ranked 108, was rated at “moderate risk” to socio-political upheaval. Bhutanese Blogger expressed disappointment that I didn’t elaborate and commented: "I am disheartened that Your Excellency has chosen to blog this but do not have any opinion…

Political Instability Index

April 8, 2009Posted inDemocracy4 Comments
The Economist Intelligence Unit has predicted that the likelihood of political unrest has increased for most countries since 2007. A total of 95 countries are rated as being at “very high risk” or “high risk”, and Zimbabwe is considered to be the most vulnerable of all the 165 countries surveyed. Only 17 countries, led by Norway, are deemed to have “low risk” of political turmoil. See EIU’s Political Instability Index.With seven of the ten most vulnerable countries coming from Africa, that continent continues to be the most politically instable region in the world.But South Asia doesn’t fare much better.…

BCCI’s new leaders

April 4, 2009Posted inDemocracy, Economy
On Thursday, during its 24th Annual General Meeting, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries elected Topgyal Dorji as its 5th president, and Chen Chen Dorji and Thinley P. Dorji as vice presidents.I offer my heartiest congratulations to the incoming president and vice presidents. The three unrelated Dorji’s have an important common mission: to force our government to get serious about private sector development.