Bhutan

National Council

Political system
Monarchy
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Oversight

Oversight tools

Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government
Yes

Sources: National Assembly Act; Rules of Procedure

Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials
Yes

Sources: National Assembly Act; Rules of Procedure

Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
No
Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments
Yes
Number of written questions asked, per year
0
(2023)
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
0
(2023)
Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
0.0%
(2023)
Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
20
(2023)

Head of State and/or Government

Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government
Other

Notes: The Head of the Government is elected by the winning party among its members in the National Assembly.

Sources: Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan

The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
Parliament does not play a role

Sources: Constitution, art. 2 §3

Impeachment and confidence motions

Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
Yes
Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
No information available

Impeachment procedure

There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution
The whole Government
Individual members of the Executive
Other
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment
Lower chamber
Upper chamber

Notes: Holders of the Constitutional offices.

Sources: Constitution, art. 32 and 117, section 7; National Assembly Act, section 133

No confidence processes

There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution
The whole Government
Individual members of the Executive
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence
Lower chamber

Sources: Constitution, art. 17, section 6; National Assembly Act, section 137

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No