The Prime Minister of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos is the highest office within the Central Government. Throughout its history, the office has been responsible, at least in theory but not always in practice, for handling Laos's internal policies. Since Laos is a one-party state, with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party being the sole party allowed by the constitution, all the prime ministers of the People's Democratic Republic have been members of the party while holding office. The current prime minister is Thongsing Thammavong, since 23 December 2010.