"As early as the 1960s, I have repeatedly stressed that Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people, to whom I can devolve power."-Dalai Lama(reuters.com)
On May 29th, 2011, the Dalai Lama resigned as the political leader of Tibet. However, the Dalai Lama's resignation has faced opposition from many Tibetans and the government. Now, he is only the spiritual leader of Tibet and no longer the head of state, just like the first four Dalai Lamas 360 years ago. The current Sikyong, or Prime Minister, of Tibet is Lobsang Sangay, a Harvard legal scholar who assumed office on August 8th, 2011.
One reason that the Dalai Lama resigned was to limit China's power over Tibet. Since, China gets to ultimately decide the succession of Dalai Lamas, they would be able to gain a large amount of political control over Tibet by recognizing an ally of theirs as the next Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama also chose to resign because he wanted to move Tibet further in a democratic direction which would "benfit Tibetans in the long run," according to the Dalai Lama.(economist.com)
The succession of the Dalai Lamas will continue if the people want it to, but the future Dalai Lamas will only serve as the spiritual leaders of Tibet.
One reason that the Dalai Lama resigned was to limit China's power over Tibet. Since, China gets to ultimately decide the succession of Dalai Lamas, they would be able to gain a large amount of political control over Tibet by recognizing an ally of theirs as the next Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama also chose to resign because he wanted to move Tibet further in a democratic direction which would "benfit Tibetans in the long run," according to the Dalai Lama.(economist.com)
The succession of the Dalai Lamas will continue if the people want it to, but the future Dalai Lamas will only serve as the spiritual leaders of Tibet.