Bhutan currently has two major political parties which contested in the 2008 elections.

Druk Phuentsum Thsogpa (Bhutan peace and prosperity party, abbreviated as DPT) is the ruling party. DPT was formed in July 2007, as a merger of two short lived parties that never contested the elections- All People’s Party and Bhutan People’s United Party. Jigmi Y Thinley, a prominent civil servant who had previously served as minister and Prime Minister in the previous government, was elected to lead this party.

DPT contested in one national elections , where it emerged as a landslide winner, securing 45 out of 47 seats in the National Assembly- the lower house of the Parliament.

The DPT logo is three black necked cranes flying into a ring. It declared that its motto was ‘Equity and Justice’. In its Manifesto released shortly after it was established, DPT declares its loyalty and dedication to the Monarchy, and its commitment to the pursuit of Gross National Happiness, the national development philosophy of Bhutan.

DPT has several high profile members- Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and  Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba had served as Prime Ministers in the previous government- in fact, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk was the Prime Minister in 2007 before he resigned to join DPT. Other members of the cabinet- Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu and Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering also resigned from their ministerial posts and joined DPT.

DPT announced four women candidates to contest for the elections out of 47 seats, and all women won in their respective constituencies. Even the DPT member contesting against former Prime Minister and PDP president Sangay Ngedup, managed to wrangle a surprise win.

Analysts credit DPT’s resounding political victory to the persona of the party President, Jigmi Y Thinley, as well as the presence of a large number of the previous cabinet in the Party ranks. Apparently, Bhutan didn’t want much of a change in its government even after democracy.

DPT took office in March 2008, with Jigmi Y Thinley as the prime minister, and the former ministers reclaimed their ministries. Vacant ministries in the cabinet were handed over to the other prominent figures in the party, such as Dr Pema Gyamtsho, and Thakur Singh Powdyel. None of the four women got a seat in the cabinet.

The DPT began with a good start, but quickly began to be criticized by the new-born media. Unpopular decisions made by the DPT ranged from major plans such as the decision to invite global consultants Mc Kinsey to develop a socio-economic plan for Bhutan, to minor decisions like not allowing live telecast of parliamentary proceedings.

The DPT government’s term will end in 2013.