Editing Theocracy (section)

=== Central Tibetan Administration ===
The [[Central Tibetan Administration]], colloquially known as the Tibetan government in exile, is a [[Tibetan exile]] organization with a state-like internal structure. According to its charter, the position of head of state of the Central Tibetan Administration belongs ''ex officio'' to the [[Dalai Lama]], a religious hierarch. In this respect, it continues the traditions of the [[Ganden Podrang|former government of Tibet]], which was ruled by the Dalai Lamas and their ministers, with a specific role reserved for a class of monk officials.

On 14 March 2011, at the [[14th Dalai Lama]]'s suggestion, the parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration began considering a proposal to remove the Dalai Lama's role as head of state in favor of an elected leader.

The first directly elected [[Kalon Tripa|Kalön Tripa]] was [[Samdhong Rinpoche]], who was elected on 20 August 2001.<ref>Donovan Roebert, ''Samdhong Rinpoche: Uncompromising Truth for a Compromised World'' ([[World Wisdom]], 2006) {{ISBN|978-1-933316-20-8}} (On August 20, 2001, Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche was elected Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan Government in Exile, receiving 84.5% of the popular exile vote.)</ref>

Before 2011, the [[Kalon Tripa|Kalön Tripa]] position was subordinate to the [[14th Dalai Lama]]<ref>[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/t100000_.html The Charter of Tibetans in-Exile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110054857/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/t100000_.html |date=2021-01-10 }}, Article 20 of the [[Constitution of Tibet]], retrieved 2010-03-19.</ref> who presided over the government in exile from its founding.<ref>[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/t100000_.html The Charter of Tibetans in-Exile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110054857/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/t100000_.html |date=2021-01-10 }}, Articles 19, 30, & 31 of the Constitution of Tibet, retrieved 2010-03-19.</ref> In August of that year, Lobsang Sangay received 55 percent of 49,189 votes, defeating his nearest rival Tethong Tenzin Namgyal by 8,646 votes,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Lobsang-Sangay-chosen-for-political-work/article14699924.ece |title=Lobsang Sangay chosen for political work |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=9 January 2017|date=2011-04-27 }}</ref> becoming the second popularly elected Kalön Tripa. The Dalai Lama announced that his political authority would be transferred to Sangay.<ref>Dean Nelson [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/tibet/8688087/Lobsang-Sangay-profile.html Lobsang Sangay: profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119145747/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/tibet/8688087/Lobsang-Sangay-profile.html |date=2023-01-19 }}, The Telegraph, 08 Aug 2011</ref>

==== Change to Sikyong ====
On 20 September 2012, the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile unanimously voted to change the title of Kalön Tripa to ''Sikyong'' in Article 19 of the Charter of the Tibetans in exile and relevant articles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=32159&t=1 |title=Tibetan Parliament changes 'Kalon Tripa' to 'Sikyong' |access-date=2013-01-31 |archive-date=2019-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502163748/http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=32159&t=1 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Dalai Lama had previously referred to the Kalön Tripa as Sikyong, and this usage was cited as the primary justification for the name change. According to ''Tibetan Review'', "Sikyong" translates to "political leader", as distinct from "spiritual leader".<ref name="TR">{{cite news |url=http://www.tibetanreview.net/news.php?id=11207 |title=Kalon Tripa to be now referred to as Sikyong |date=2012-09-22 |access-date=2012-12-11 |publisher=Tibetan Review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017051755/http://www.tibetanreview.net/news.php?id=11207 |archive-date=2013-10-17}}</ref> Foreign affairs Kalön [[Dicki Chhoyang]] stated that the term "Sikyong" has had a precedent dating back to the [[7th Dalai Lama]], and that the name change "ensures historical continuity and legitimacy of the traditional leadership from the Fifth Dalai Lama".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tibet.net/2012/11/16/international-support-groups-meet-in-dharamsala-to-deal-with-critical-situation-in-tibet/ |title=International Support Groups Meet in Dharamsala to Deal with Critical Situation In Tibet |date=2012-11-16 |publisher=Central Tibetan Administration |access-date=2013-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121124452/http://tibet.net/2012/11/16/international-support-groups-meet-in-dharamsala-to-deal-with-critical-situation-in-tibet/ |archive-date=2012-11-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The online Dharma Dictionary translates sikyong (''srid skyong'') as "secular ruler; regime, regent".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/srid_skyong |title=srid skyong |work=tsadra.org |access-date=2013-05-14 |archive-date=2023-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119145749/https://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/srid_skyong |url-status=live }}</ref> The title ''sikyong'' had previously been used by [[regent]]s who ruled Tibet during the Dalai Lama's minority.