Why did King Jigme Singye Wangchuk abdicate in 2006?

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk abdicated on December 14, 2006, to catalyze Bhutan’s transition to a fully democratic government.1

By stepping down and passing the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, the king facilitated the final stages of a long-term reform process. This transition led to the establishment of a parliamentary democracy, including the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of the country’s first official elections in 2007 and 2008. This move was the culmination of decades of reforms, during which the monarchy had gradually divested itself of absolute power in favor of a bicameral legislature and elected leadership.1