Laos Political parties

The number of political parties in Laos is limited and the country's political system is based on single-party dominance. The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) is considered the only legal political party in the country and controls the government. The LPRP has been in power in Laos since 1975. The Lao People's Revolutionary Party continues its leadership based on the principle of "people's transfer" in the country's constitution. The party is managed by the central committee and leaders are elected at congresses held every four years. Apart from the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the activities of other political parties are limited and the party formation process is quite complex. To establish a party, it is necessary to comply with certain criteria and obtain government permission. Therefore, the number of independent political parties operating in Laos is quite small. Therefore, it can be said that there is no political party pluralism in Laos and political power is controlled by a single party. The dominance of the LPRP determines the political and social order in the country and limits the influence of other political actors.