Members of Cambodia’s lower house and local councilors voted this Sunday, February 25, to elect senators. Former Prime Minister Hun Sen, running under the banner of his eldest son’s ruling party, won a seat and secured the top post in the upper house.
2 mins
After ruling the country with an iron fist for nearly four decades, Hun Sen ceded power to his eldest son Hun Manet last July followingelections without real opposition.
However, he then indicated that he intended to continue to exercise influence despite his resignation. The party will appoint the former prime minister as Senate president in April, a role that allows him to act as head of state when the king is abroad.
Also listenCambodia: Prime Minister Hun Sen cedes power to his son and “remains in a position of influence”
Four political parties, including Hun Sen’s ruling CPP, the royalist Funcinpec Party and two small opposition parties participated in the elections. The National Electoral Commission is expected to release official results in several weeks. Of the 62 seats in the Senate, 58 are allocated by 125 deputies and more than 11,000 local administrators.
The government today includes a number of family members of Hun Sen, and several children of his allies also hold prominent positions. His youngest son, Hun Many was named Deputy Prime Minister by Parliament a few days ago.
Coming to power in 1985, Hun Sen helped modernize a country devastated by civil war and genocide. But his critics say his reign was also marked by environmental destruction, endemic corruption and the elimination of almost all political rivals.
Read alsoLegislative elections in Cambodia: opponents in exile excluded from elections for at least 20 years