3-8-2023 (PHNOM PENH) Hun Sen, Cambodia’s long-standing prime minister, responded firmly on Thursday (Aug 3) to international criticism regarding the recent elections in which his party secured victory without any significant opposition. He also defended his decision to hand over power to his son, Hun Manet, emphasizing that it was necessary to prevent potential bloodshed.
At the age of 70, Hun Sen has governed Cambodia with an iron fist for nearly four decades. However, he recently announced that he would step down and pass the reins to his son, who is set to assume the role of prime minister later this month.
This move followed the overwhelming victory of his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in last month’s election, which drew condemnation from the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union for lacking freedom and fairness. The only significant opposition party was disqualified by election authorities due to a technicality, enabling the CPP to secure 82 percent of the vote and claim all but five seats in the 125-member lower house.
In his first public address since the polls, Hun Sen declared, “I can state that democracy has triumphed in Cambodia,” asserting that the critics did not represent the entire international community.
Hun Sen further defended the succession plan involving his son, which some critics likened to the dynastic successions seen in North Korea. He argued that such a move was necessary to maintain peace in the country in the event of his own demise while in office. He expressed concerns that a power struggle could lead to violence.
While denying any disputes among senior party members regarding Hun Manet’s succession, Hun Sen stated that he would request the king to appoint his 45-year-old son as prime minister on Monday. This would allow Hun Manet to form a new government, which would then undergo a confidence vote in parliament on August 22.
The incoming government is expected to comprise a fresh generation of young ministers, some of whom will fill positions vacated by their fathers.
Hun Sen also suggested that the Candlelight Party, the sole significant political opposition in Cambodia, should be dissolved due to its alleged affiliation with exiled pro-democracy figurehead Sam Rainsy.
While asserting that he would not interfere with his son’s rule, Hun Sen reaffirmed his intention to continue exerting influence over the country’s politics. After stepping down as prime minister, he will assume the role of president of the senate and act as the acting head of state when the king is abroad.
Since assuming power in 1985, the former Khmer Rouge cadre has eliminated all opposition to his rule, banning rival parties, forcing challengers into exile, and suppressing freedom of expression.
