I find this article interesting. I cannot believe that the Bhutanese King is even ready to relinquish his throne if people want. Some interesting political development is going on in our neighborhood, but our king is damn deaf.

Here is the article link: http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2005/nov/nov09/news13.php

Parliamentary democracy is the best: Bhutanese king

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan ? an absolute ruler-- has said the monarchical system in his country was flawed and the best option for the people would be to opt for parliamentary democracy.



Bhutanese king Jigme Singye Wangchuk (File Photo)
"Monarchy is not the best form of government for Bhutan as it has many flaws," the king was quoted as saying by the government-run newspaper Kuensel.

"People might not find another opportunity like this to introduce a Constitution that would provide a democratic system of government best suited for the future well being of the nation."

Bhutan earlier this year unveiled a 34-point constitution, which is now being sent to all 530,000 citizens for their views. The Bhutanese authorities have, however, taken no steps so far to consult their own people, forced to reside as refugees in eastern Nepal, according to refugee groups.

Over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees of Nepali origin are languishing in seven refugee camps in eastern Nepal for the last 15 years after they were forced to leave the country in the aftermath of introduction of what they call "discriminatory citizenship laws" by the druk regime in the late eighties.

The proposed constitution that specifies the role of the monarchy, the clergy and the duties and responsibilities of the people is expected to be ratified by the year-end after a referendum.

Once adopted, the constitution will swap a royal decree of 1953 giving the monarchy absolute power and alter Bhutan into a two-party parliamentary democracy.

"In times to come, if the people were fortunate the heir to the throne would be a dedicated and capable person. On the other hand, the heir could be a person of mediocre ability or even an incapable person," the king told some 2,000 community elders and students at a meeting in the northern Bhutanese district headquarters of Haa.

Village chiefs and students were, however, apprehensive about taking the historic plunge from absolute monarchy to political democracy, Times of India?a leading Indian daily -- reported.

"On the eve of the centenary of our monarchy, it is too painful to even conceive of the idea of the Druk Gyalpo (king) relinquishing the throne," the Kuensel quoted a village chief interacting with the king during the meeting.

The process of transition began in 2001 when Wangchuk set the wheels of democracy rolling by mooting the idea for a change from the present monarchical system in the predominantly Buddhist nation.

Even before the transformation, the 49-year-old king handed over most of his powers pertaining to daily governance to a council of ministers and also authorised Bhutan's national assembly or parliament to effect a royal abdication if such a motion was backed by 75 percent of the members.

Bhutanese refugee leaders in Nepal, however, term the royal exercise as a farce. They allege that with no viable opposition, free press and independent judiciary, the real authority would continue to rest with the king even if there is a new parliament.

King Wangchuk was crowned at the age of 16, the fourth monarch to be enthroned in Bhutan since the Wangchuk dynasty came to power in December 1907. The king would be holding interactive sessions in all the 20 district headquarters to convince the people to adopt the constitution to pave the way for what he describes as democracy.

"In many countries Constitutions were drafted during difficult times, under pressure from political influences and interests, but Bhutan was fortunate that the change came under no pressure or compulsion," Kuensel quoted the king as saying. nepalnews.com by Nov 09 05