Asia & Pacific · reference
🇱🇦 Laos
One-party socialist republic
SystemOne-party socialist republic
Head of statePresident Thongloun Sisoulith, also General Secretary of the ruling party
Head of governmentPrime Minister Sonexay Siphandone
LegislatureNational Assembly · about 160 seats
ElectionsElections are held in a closed single-party system and are not considered free or fair
Last election2026-02-22 · National Assembly election
Next election2031 · National Assembly election due
The Lao People's Revolutionary Party has ruled since 1975 and tolerates no organised opposition or independent media. Debt from Chinese-financed projects, above all the Boten-Vientiane railway, has pushed the country toward distress, with chronic inflation and currency weakness. Hydropower exports to neighbours have made damming the Mekong the centre of its economy and of regional controversy.
Live encyclopedic leader and election records · verified 2026-07-02
The Margin models elections where a competitive public record exists · all countries