The Lao People's Revolutionary Party is the Communist Party of Laos. Since 1975, it has monopolized political power in the country. The policy-making organs are the politburo and the central committee. A party congress, which elects members to the powerful organs, is held every five years.
Before 1975, it was known as the Pathet Lao.
It is led by party and national president Khamtai Siphandon, who succeeded Nouhak Phoumsavan in 1998. Other recent leading figures have included Sisavath Kheobounphanh and Boungnang Vorachith, who have each served as prime minister.