igme Thinley
Prime Minister of Bhutan
Incumbent
Assumed office 09 April 2008
Monarch Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
Preceded by Kinzang Dorji
In office30 August 2003 – 20 August 2004
Monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Preceded by Kinzang Dorji
Succeeded by Yeshey Zimba
In office20 July 1998 – 09 July 1999
Monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Preceded by Lhendup Dorji (1964)
Succeeded by Sangay Ngedup
Born 1952Bumthang, Bhutan
Political party DPT
Lyonchen Jigme Yoser Thinley (born 1952)[1] has been the Prime Minister of Bhutan since April 2008.[1][2] “Lyonchen” is a title, meaning “prime minister”.[citation needed]
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.[1]
Prior to the beginning of democracy, he was Prime Minister twice, from July 20, 1998 to July 9, 1999 and from August 30, 2003 to August 20, 2004. During this period, chairmanship of the council was based on rotation once per 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.[1] On December 17, 2008, Thinley was awarded the Druk Wangyal medal - one of the highest medals of honor - for excellence in carrying out his duties.[3]
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.[1][2]
