11-12-2023 (PHNOM PENH) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, a standing committee member of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), secured the position of vice president during a crucial two-day congress held at the party’s headquarters in Phnom Penh. The announcement was made by CPP spokesman Sok Eysan at a press conference concluding the event.
Eysan revealed that the CPP’s Central Committee, in a majority vote, elected Hun Manet to the role of vice president, adding a notable dimension to the party’s leadership structure. The CPP now boasts a total of five vice presidents, a reflection of its evolving composition.
Furthermore, the congress witnessed the inclusion of 23 new members into the party’s standing committee, bringing the total count to 58. This strategic move aligns with the CPP’s commitment to adapt its leadership to accommodate the party’s remarkable growth. Eysan emphasized that the CPP’s membership has surged from just over 3 million to now exceeding 7.1 million members nationwide.
The congress, presided over by CPP President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, drew the participation of around 3,600 central and local delegates from across Cambodia. The deliberations resulted in the election of an additional 496 members to the party’s central committee, augmenting the total count to 1,312.
Eysan highlighted the expansion of leadership roles as a proactive response to the party’s increased membership and ongoing progress. The CPP has been the ruling party in Cambodia since 1979, consistently maintaining its stronghold on the political landscape.
In the July 23 general election, the CPP secured a commanding victory by winning 120 out of the 125 seats in the National Assembly. The recent appointment of Prime Minister Hun Manet as vice president solidifies the party’s leadership structure, marking a notable chapter in the CPP’s enduring legacy.
