King of Bhutan: Difference between revisions

{{Contains special characters|Tibetan}}

{{Politics of Bhutan}}

The '''Druk Gyalpo''' ({{bo-textonly|འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་པོ་}}; lit. '''Dragon King''') is the [[head of state]] of the [[Kingdom of Bhutan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20(A5).pdf |title=Article 2: The Institution of Monarchy |work=The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan |isbn=99936-754-0-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162637/http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20%28A5%29.pdf |archive-date=6 July 2011}}</ref> In the [[Dzongkha|Dzongkha language]], Bhutan is known as ''Drukyul'' which translates as "The Land of the Thunder Dragon". Thus, while Kings of Bhutan are known as ''Druk Gyalpo'' ("Dragon King"), the Bhutanese people call themselves the ''Drukpa'', meaning "Dragon people".

 

King Jigme Khesar was the second-youngest reigning monarch in the world<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20081106-jigme-khesar-namgyel-wangchuck-youngest-king-world-bhutan |title=Himalayan state crowns youngest king in the world |publisher=[[France 24]] |date=6 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131071911/http://www.france24.com/en/20081106-jigme-khesar-namgyel-wangchuck-youngest-king-world-bhutan |archive-date=31 January 2009}}</ref> when he ascended the throne on 6 November 2008 after his father, [[Jigme Singye Wangchuck]], abdicated the throne in his favor.<ref name=king/>

 

The Constitution confirms the institution of [[monarchy]]. The Druk Gyalpo (King of Bhutan) is the [[Head of State]] and the symbol of unity of the Kingdom and of the people of Bhutan. The Constitution establishes the "[[dual system of government|Chhoe-sid-nyi]]" (dual system of religion and politics) of Bhutan as unified in the person of the King who, as a [[Buddhist]], is the upholder of the Chhoe-sid (religion and politics; temporal and secular).<ref name=Art2/> In addition, the King is the protector of [[religion in Bhutan|all religions in Bhutan]].<ref name=Art3>[http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20(A5).pdf Constitution of Bhutan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162637/http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20%28A5%29.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }}, Art. 3</ref> The King is [[Sovereign immunity|not answerable in a court of law]] for his actions, and his person is sacrosanct.<ref name=Art2>[http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20(A5).pdf Constitution of Bhutan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162637/http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20%28A5%29.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }}, Art. 2</ref> However, the King is mandated to protect and uphold the Constitution "in the best interest and for the welfare of the people of Bhutan.

 

Under the Constitution, the King, in exercise of his [[Royal Prerogative]]s (and as Head of State), promotes goodwill and good relations with other countries by receiving state guests and undertaking state visits to other countries. The King may also award titles, decorations, ''dar'' for Lhengye and Nyi-Kyelma (conferring a red scarf of rank and honour with the title of "[[Dasho]]") in accordance with tradition and custom.

Also among the Royal Prerogatives are the grants of [[Immigration in Bhutan|citizenship]], amnesty, pardon and reduction of sentences; and land "kidu" and other "kidus" (benefits).<ref name=Art2/>

The King appoints positions other than Constitutional Officers on the advice of other bodies.<ref name=Art2/> He appoints the heads of the Defence Forces from a list of names recommended by the Service Promotion Board. The King appoints the [[Attorney General of Bhutan]],<ref name=Art29>[http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20(A5).pdf Constitution of Bhutan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162637/http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20%28A5%29.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }}, Art. 29</ref> the Chairperson of the Pay Commission,<ref name=Art2/><ref name=Art30>[http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20(A5).pdf Constitution of Bhutan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162637/http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20%28A5%29.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }}, Art. 30</ref> the Governor of the [[Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan|Central Bank of Bhutan]], the Cabinet Secretary, and Bhutanese ambassadors and consuls on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The King also appoints [[Dzongkhag|Dzongdags]] to head Local Governments, and other secretaries to the Government on the recommendation of the Prime Minister who obtains nominations from the Royal Civil Service Commission on the basis of merit and seniority and in accordance with other relevant rules and regulations. The King appoints the Secretary General of the respective Houses on the recommendation of the Royal Civil Service Commission.

 

The King is also the [[Commander-in-chief|Supreme Commander in Chief]] of the [[Military of Bhutan|Armed Forces and the Militia of Bhutan]].<ref name=Art28>[http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20(A5).pdf Constitution of Bhutan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162637/http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20%28A5%29.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }}, Art. 28</ref>

 

{{Main|List of rulers of Bhutan}}

The Hereditary Dragon Kings of Bhutan:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/141 |title=Hundred years of Monarchy: A walk down the memory lane |publisher=Bhutan 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301012713/http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/141 |archive-date=1 March 2010}}</ref>

 

{{Succession table monarch