Jigme Thinley

Infobox Prime Minister
name = Jigme Yoser Thinley
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order = Prime Minister of Bhutan
monarch = Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
term_start = 09 April 2008
predecessor = Kinzang Dorji
monarch1 = Jigme Singye Wangchuck
term_start1 = 30 August 2003
term_end1 = 20 August 2004
predecessor1 = Kinzang Dorji
successor1 = Yeshey Zimba
monarch2 = Jigme Singye Wangchuck
term_start2 = 20 July 1998
term_end2 = 09 July 1999
predecessor2 = Lhendup Dorji (1964)
successor2 = Sangay Ngedup
birth_date = 1952
birth_place = Bumthang, Bhutan
party = DPTLyonpo Jigme Yoser Thinley (born 1952Rinzin Wangchuk, [http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10196 "New PM takes office"] , Kuensel Online, April 12, 2008.] ) has been the Prime Minister of Bhutan since April 2008. [http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/11/stories/2008041154161800.htm "Thinley takes over as Premier"] , "The Hindu", April 11, 2008.] "Lyonpo" is a title, meaning "minister".Fact|date=March 2008

Thinley was born in Bumthang and joined the civil service in 1974. In February 1987, Thinley was awarded the title of Dasho and the Red Scarf, and in 1990, under the zonal system, he became administrator of the Eastern Zone. He then became secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1992 before being appointed as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs in January 1994, at which time he was also awarded the Orange Scarf. Later in 1994, he was appointed as Bhutan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations office and other international organizations in Geneva.

Prior to the beginning of democracy, he was Prime Minister twice, from July 20, 1998 to July 9, 1999 and from 30 August 2003 to August 20 2004. During this period, chairmanship of the council was based on rotation for a duration of one year, with the order of rotation decided by the number of votes secured during the time of election to the council. Jigme was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan from 1998 until 2003 and subsequently served as Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs.

On June 2 1999, Thinley was awarded the Druk Thuksey and Coronation medals.

In March 2008, he stood as leader of the political party Druk Phuensum Tshogpa in Bhutan's first democratic election. His party won 45 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly of Bhutan, which enabled Jigme Thinley to become Bhutan's first ever elected Prime Minister. He took office on April 9.

External links

* [http://www.un.org/ga/63/generaldebate/bhutan.shtml Prime Minister Jigme Thinley's address to the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly] , September 26, 2008

References