In a significant political development, Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni has officially appointed Hun Manet as the country’s new Prime Minister. The appointment comes after Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, announced his decision to step down and pass the position to his eldest son, Hun Manet.
In response to a request from Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni has issued a royal decree on August 7th appointing Hun Manet as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia for the 7th mandate of the parliament. The decree was shared on the Telegram channel of Premier Hun Sen, who had requested the official note.
In order to officially assume the role of the country’s next leader following the king’s approval, the 45-year-old Hun Manet and his cabinet must secure a confidence vote in parliament, scheduled for August 22. The Confidence vote in the Parliament will determine whether Hun Manet and his new cabinet receive the necessary approval to lead the nation.
Despite stepping back, Hun Sen has assured Cambodians that he will not interfere with his son’s rule but confirmed that he will maintain influential positions in the legislature and ruling party and will continue to dominate the country’s politics until at least 2033. He is set to become president of the Senate early next year and will act as head of state when the king is overseas
Cambodia’s July Elections were allegedly Sham
The recent July election in which Hun Manet secured a seat and The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) secured all but five seats in the 125-member lower house was widely criticized as a sham.Â
CPP has a tendency to target opposition and ban any opposition party from winning elections. The Candlelight Party that was seen as the only serious challenger was disqualified on a technicality basis ahead of the July election. Additionally, Kem Sokha, who was in opposition was convicted and was sentenced 27 years, currently under house arrest.
The new cabinet is also accused of Nepotism. Sons of old ministers are to be included in the cabinet. The future cabinet is anticipated to have 23 new ministers, many of whom are the children of long-standing members of the CPP.
The United States, United Nations, European Union and France condemned the July election. They accused the election to be neither free nor fair. However, Hun Sen rejected these allegations. Hun Sen dismissed claims of the polls being unfair, citing the need to avoid “bloodshed” in case of his demise while in office.
A positive change for Cambodia under Hun Manet’s Leadership?
Hun Manet, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Cambodia has a degree in economics from New York University and a Ph.D. from the University of Bristol, Hun Manet is a West Point graduate (U.S Military Academy) and was the former commander of the Cambodian army.
Despite his Western education and military background, there is little clarity about his vision for the country’s future. There has been no evidence that Cambodia will have a more liberal government under the leadership of Hun Manet as compared to Hun Sen’s government.
Hun Manet’s decisions are to be influenced by his father Hun Sen, who will still supervise the government but by remaining in the background. Hun Sen’s influence might limit any immediate shifts in policies or governance. Furthermore, Cambodia’s rigid political system that demands loyalty to elites and security forces might also limit any positive change in the governance of the country.
Moreover, Hun Sen was groomed for leadership for years, but he remains untested in the political arena, leaving analysts uncertain about his strategies and decisions as the nation enters a new era under his leadership.
Sam Rainsy, a longstanding rival of Hun Manet and currently in self-exile in France, views that there will be no significant changes under Hun Manet’s leadership. He dismisses any hopes of increased freedom or distancing the country from its major benefactor, China, as misguided. Rainsy believes that despite changing leaders, the underlying system will remain unchanged, labelling such expectations as a pure illusion. He shared these views with AFP before Hun Manet’s appointment as the new Prime Minister.
On the other hand, Appointment of Young Ministers in the new government under the leadership of Hun Manet’s have positive signs of Cambodia’s departure from the authoritarian government of Hun sen that ruled the country for decades. New Government has an opportunity to hold new ideas and reforms for the country, views of Associate Professor Sophal Ear.
