Guwahati: Bhutan's King Jigme Singye Wangchuck has abdicated to make way for his 26-year-old son to become monarch of the Himalayan nation, the King said in a statement obtained on Saturday.
The monarch, who has ruled the tiny country of 700,000 for decades, announced last year that he would step down in 2008 and hand over to his eldest son, Crown Prince Jigme Kesar Namgyel.
But in a statement made to Bhutan's council of ministers on Thursday, the King, 50, said he was stepping down earlier. "The time has now come for me to hand over my responsibilities to Trongsa Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck," the king said in the statement released to the media on Saturday.
"I am confident that a very bright future lies ahead for Bhutan with the leadership of a new king and a democratic system of government that is best suited for our country."
Slowly pulling his isolated mountain state into the modern world, Wangchuck has opted to relinquish much of the monarchy's power. A new constitution is expected to be formally adopted later this month.
Parliamentary elections are due before the end of 2008. The country, sandwiched between India and China, has remained untouched by most modern influences, with a limited number of foreign visitors allowed each year.
Comments
0 comment