The politics of the Lao People's Democratic Republic takes place in the framework of a one-party parliamentary socialist republic. The only legal political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The head of state is President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is also the LPRP general secretary, making him the supreme leader of Laos. The head of government is Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) is the founding and sole ruling party of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The party's monopoly on state power is guaranteed by Article 3 of the Constitution of Laos, and it maintains a unitary state with centralised control over the economy and military.
General Khamtai Siphandone is a Laotian politician who was Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party from 24 November 1992 to 21 March 2006 and President of Laos from 24 February 1998 to 8 June 2006, when he was replaced by Choummaly Sayasone. He was a member of the Communist Party of Indochina in 1954 and a member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in 1956.
Bounnhang Vorachit is a Laotian politician. He was previously General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos from 2016 to 2021.
The Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, formerly the chairman of the Council of Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is the head of government of Laos. The highest position in the government, they direct the country's executive branch. The prime minister is accountable to the president, the National Assembly and the country's only legal party: the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The current prime minister is Sonexay Siphandone, who was elected in 2022.
Samane Vignaket was a Laotian politician and Lieutenant General, who served as the 1st President of the National Assembly of Laos from 1993 to 2006. A member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Vignaket served as a member of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Politburo and was a member of the 3rd Secretariat of the LPRP, including as Minister of Education from 1988-1991.
The Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) is the highest decision-making organ when the Central Committee is not convened for a plenary session.
The Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, known as the Executive Committee from 2006 to 2011, is an organ of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.
The 9th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) was held in Vientiane from 17–21 March 2011. The congress occurs once every five years. A total of 576 delegates represented the party's 191,700 card-carrying members.
The 11th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) was held in Vientiane from 13 to 15 January 2021. The congress occurs once every five years. A total of 768 delegates represented the party's nearly 350,000 card-carrying members. The intention of the meeting was, according to LPRP General Secretary Bounnhang Vorachit, to "review together the implementation of the resolution of the 10th National Party Congress and generally evaluate the creating of foundations for marching toward socialism over the past years; learn useful lessons and make agreement on directions, policy and guidance on the national socio-economic development plan for years to come to ensure the continued nurturing of people’ democratic regime and creating of foundations for marching toward socialism".
The 10th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) was elected at the 10th LPRP National Congress in 2016. It is composed of 69 members and 8 alternate members.
The 10th Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), officially the Political Bureau of the 10th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, was elected in 2016 by the 1st Plenary Session of the 10th Central Committee, in the immediate aftermath of the 10th National Congress.
The 11th Central Committee was elected at the 11th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party on 15 January 2021, and is composed of 71 ordinary members and ten substitutes. As an institution, the Central Committee is the party's highest decision-making body between convocations of the National Congress, which convenes every fifth year. Since the LPRP has a monopoly on state power in Laos, the Central Committees formulates policies which the state implements. In between plenary sessions of the 11th Central Committee the 11th Politburo, is the party's highest decision-making body.
Bounthong Chitmany is a Laotian politician and member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). He is a former Governor of Oudomxay Province. He is currently Chairman of the Inspection Commission of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. He was elected to the LPRP Central Committee at the 6th National Congress and still retains his seat. At the 10th National Congress he was elected to the LPRP Politburo, and he still retains his seat.
The 11th Inspection Commission of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 11th LPRP Central Committee on 15 January 2021.
The 10th Inspection Commission of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 10th LPRP Central Committee on 15 January 2021.
The Organisation Commission of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee was established on 25 March 1955. It is responsible for organising and leading the party's organisation and personnel work.
Sisay Leudetmounsone is a Laotian politician and member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). She currently serves as Head of the LPRP Central Committee Organisation Commission, and is a member of the 11th Central Committee, 11th Politburo and the 11th Secretariat.
Khemmani Pholsena is a Lao politician, Minister and Head of the President's Office and a member of the 11th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP).
Thongsavanh Phomvihane is a Laotian politician and member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). He currently serves as Head of the LPRP Central Committee External Relations Committee, and is a member of the 11th Central Committee.
