Tempa Dorji elected Speaker of Bhutan’s National Assembly

Tempa Dorji, a member of the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP), has been elected as the Speaker of Bhutan’s National Assembly. In a secret ballot, Dorji secured 24 votes, narrowly defeating the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk, who received 23 votes.

This election marks a significant shift in Bhutanese parliamentary history, as Dorji is the first opposition member to be elected to the post. Previously, the Speaker had been chosen from the ruling party during the first three parliamentary terms. Despite the PDP holding a 31-seat majority compared to the BTP’s 16 seats, the result indicates that Dorji gained support from members outside the opposition benches.

The election followed the resignation of former Speaker Lungten Dorji on August 15. The PDP stated that the former Speaker’s departure was not due to poor performance but was a decision made following discussions with the Prime Minister to allow for a candidate who could provide closer support to the executive. Under the National Assembly Act, the Speaker is required to remain non-partisan while presiding over parliamentary proceedings.