Exiled Tibetans Elect a New Leader

Posted on Apr 27, 2011

Flickr / Breathtaking Photos

Tibetan exiles around the world have elected a new prime minister.

Indian-born, Harvard-educated Lobsang Sangay—who won more than half of the nearly 50,000 votes cast—will assume the political responsibilities formerly held by the Dalai Lama. More than 80,000 Tibetans were eligible to vote. —ARK

BBC:

A Harvard University academic has been elected prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile and will take on the political role previously played by the Dalai Lama.

Lobsang Sangay won 55% of the votes cast by Tibetans around the world.

He defeated two candidates for the role, Tenzin Tethong and Tashi Wangdi.

Mr Sangay must now assume the political functions of the Dalai Lama, who said in March he wanted to devolve this responsibility to an elected official.

The Dalai Lama will retain his role as Tibetan spiritual leader.

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