The Bhutanese Leading the way.
One of the first tasks for the newly elected PDP government elect will be for the Prime Minister elect to select his ministers.
There has been much speculation, suggestion and hopes, but the PM elect has let it be known that the selection will be driven on merit and the challenges faced by the country.
The PDP already lost three experienced ministerial candidates in the east and so the PDP President will have to think about who can fill their large shoes.
The important thing is that the PM elect is not new to the job and given his five years’ experience from 2013-2018 he already will know what the team needs to look like.
The 30 elected candidates of the PDP have a good mix of different backgrounds, skills and ages.
The main challenges going ahead for the country are economic in nature but the larger goal is also an attempt to transform Bhutan’s economy, governance, education and technology.
There is also a huge task in the form of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project, not to mention a giant 13th plan.
The PM may be tempted to put together a group of highly able technocrats and older MPs as ministers, but it is always good to have a good mix.
The ministers he appoints should not only be skilled and hardworking, but they should also have the ability to provide leadership, to listen to people and to inspire.
It will be better to have a minister who listens and provides good leadership then just having fancy degrees and work experience.
On the surface, the PM elect has to look at merit and experience but this is politics and so he will have to ensure that things like regional representation, gender and other softer factors are also not completely ignored.
I must follow the people. Am I not their leader?
Benjamin Disraeli