The king of Bhutan says he will step down when the tiny kingdom holds its first national democratic elections in 2008, BBC Online reports Sunday.
King Jigme Singye Wangchuck said he would be succeeded as leader of the remote Himalayan country by his son, the crown prince.
The king, who has ruled for 33 years, gave up absolute power in 1998. He currently rules in conjunction with the government, an assembly and a royal advisory council.
Speaking in a remote village three days drive from the capital, Thimpu, the king told thousands of yak herders, monks, farmers, and students that he would begin handing over responsibility to the crown prince immediately.
– I would like our people to know that the first national election to elect a government under a system of parliamentary democracy will take place in 2008, the 50-year-old told the crowd.
A draft constitution provides for two houses of parliament – a 75-member national assembly and a 25-member national council – with the king as head of state.
The king likes to project the image of simple lifestyle, preferring to work in a small log cabin above the capital while his fortress-like palace is used by his four wives, all of whom are sisters, BBC adds.
