General election. serious economic challenges calling into question its longstanding policy of prioritizing “Gross National Happiness” over growth. Young citizens have left in record numbers searching for better financial and educational opportunities abroad since the last elections, with Australia as the top destination. Both the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are committed to a constitutionally enshrined philosophy of a government that measures its success by the “happiness and well-being of the people.” Career civil servant Pema Chewang of the BTP says the country was losing the “cream of the nation.” His opponent, former prime minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Tshering Tobgay, 58, sounded the alarm over Bhutan’s “unprecedented economic challenges and mass exodus.”

Bhutan and Israel to establish diplomatic relations.

Bhutan confirms its first case of COVID-19.

Tshering is sworn in as prime minister.

DNT wins 30 of 47 seats in the national assembly. The DPT wins the other 17 seats.

Surprisingly, the PDP fails to win enough votes to join the second round of voting, and losing all its 32 seats in the National Assembly. The The Druk Nyamsrup Tshogpa (DNT), led by Lotay Tshering, comes in first with 31.8% of the vote. Aum Dorji Choden is the first woman to be president of a political party in Bhutan. A new party, the DNT is highly idealistic and emphasizes its connection with the people and a bottom-up approach to national government. The Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (DPT) wins nearly 31% of the vote. Second round voting takes place on 10/8/18. The DPT is led by Pema Gyamtsho, an environmentalist.

National Assembly elections, first round. Tshering Tobga hoping for a second consecutive term as prime minister. His People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is being challenged by the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), winner of Bhutan’s first election in 2008.