Reportage – 2006

Samdhong Rinpoche's four ministers approved, one out

DHARAMSHALA, India, 30 September 2006 — Samdhong Rinpoche, the Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, got approval for four of the five ministers he proposed in the exile Tibetan parliament on Saturday.

Mrs Kesang Yangkyi Taklha, Head of the Office of Tibet, London; Mr Tempa Tsering, Head of the Bureau of Tibet, Delhi; Mr Thubten Lungrik, a former minister in Rinpoche's government; and Ven Tsering Phuntsok, a sitting member of the parliament are the new ministers of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Mr Lobsang Nyendak, a former minister in Rinpoche's last government, lost by the two votes needed to achieve the simple majority to regain the post. He received 19 votes favouring and 19 opposing, with two abstentions.

The second session of the 14th Tibetan parliament-in-exile approved the four ministers through secret balloting after Rinpoche's proposal was challenged by a member of the parliament. Forty members took part in the balloting.