|
Bhutan :
Election
·
On
March 24,
2008 Druk
Phuensum
Tshogpa (DPT),
led by
former
premier
Jigmi
Thinley,
scored a
landslide
victory in
the first
elections in
Bhutan that
marks the
end of
absolute
monarchy in
the Kingdom
·
Both
are led by
former prime
ministers.
The People's
Democratic
Party (PDP)
is headed by
Sangay
Ngedup, who
is the
brother of
the former
king's four
wives - all
sisters.
·
An
election for
the upper
house of
parliament,
the 25-seat
National
Council, was
held in
December.
A chronology
of key
events:
1907 - Ugyen
Wangchuck is
chosen as
hereditary
ruler.
1910 -
Treaty
signed with
British
giving them
control over
Bhutan's
foreign
relations.
1949 -
Treaty
signed with
newly-independent
India
guaranteeing
non-interference
in Bhutan's
internal
affairs, but
allowing
Delhi
influence
over foreign
relations.
1952 -
Reformist
monarch
Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck
succeeds to
throne.
1952 -
National
assembly
established.
1968 - First
cabinet
established.
1971 -
Bhutan joins
United
Nations.
1972 - King
Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck
dies and is
succeeded by
his son,
Jigme Singye
Wangchuck,
who
continues
policy of
cautious
modernisation.
1974 - First
foreign
tourists
allowed in.
1988 -
Census leads
to branding
of many
ethnic
Nepalis as
illegal
immigrants.
1989 -
Nepali
ceases to be
a language
of
instruction
in schools.
1993 -
Bhutan and
Nepal try to
resolve
refugee
problem.
2000 - First
internet
cafe opens
in Thimphu;
Bhutan hit
by
landslides
following
severe
flooding in
region,
causing at
least 200
deaths.
2007 July -
PM Khandu
Wangchuk
resigns to
compete in
elections
February and
March 2008.
|
