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Tobgay set to return as Bhutan premier

Liberal PDP wins elections


Friday, 12 January 2024


THIMPU, Jan 11 (Al Jazeera): Bhutan's liberal People's Democratic Party (PDP) is set to form a new government after winning in parliamentary elections, according to results from the country's electoral body.
PDP leader Tshering Tobgay, 58, who was prime minister from 2013 to 2018, is set to become the new premier for a second five-year term.
The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) released its provisional results on Wednesday, a day after the tiny Himalayan kingdom held elections, which showed the PDP winning its fourth free vote since democratic elections began 15 years ago.
The PDP won 30 seats in the 47-member parliament, or National Assembly, with the rest of the seats going to the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP), according to the early tally by the ECB.
The PDP was formed in 2007 by Tobgay. Bhutanese people in traditional attire queue up to cast their votes in the national elections in Deothang
Tobgay campaigned on the promise of boosting the economy and reducing unemployment rates, despite the country's constitutionally enshrined philosophy of measuring success in terms of "Gross National Happiness" instead of gross domestic product (GDP).