Ruling Party Poised for Landslide Victory in Senate Election
Hun Sen, in Power for 38 Years, Likely to Become Senate President
Eldest Son to Succeed as Prime Minister... Youngest Son as Deputy Prime Minister
The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) is expected to achieve a landslide victory in the Cambodian Senate elections. Since former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who served as Cambodia's Prime Minister for 38 years, is the chairman of the ruling party, it is analyzed that he will exert strong influence behind the scenes as the President of the Senate.
According to major foreign media on the 25th, the ruling Cambodian People's Party is expected to secure a landslide victory in the Cambodian Senate elections. Cambodian Senators are elected through votes by Commune Council members, who are equivalent to local government officials, and 125 members of the National Assembly. Based on the valid votes by party, 58 members are elected, and the National Assembly and the King each appoint 2 members, making a total of 62 members in the Senate. The Senate acts as a mediator between the government and the parliament, and the President of the Senate serves as the acting head of state in the absence of the King.
In this election, candidates from four parties, including the CPP and the pro-government FUNCINPEC, participated. In the local elections held in June two years ago, the CPP swept the council representative positions in 1,648 out of 1,652 communes. Since the CPP secured 120 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly in the general election held on July 23, it is expected to almost completely sweep the Senate seats as well.
Following the CPP's landslide victory in the Senate elections, it is analyzed that Hun Sen, the chairman of the ruling party, will take the position of President of the Senate and continue to exert influence behind the scenes. Hun Sen took office as Prime Minister in 1985 and ruled for a long period of 38 years. After stepping down, he retained the position of chairman of the ruling party and also serves as the King's chief advisor.
After last year's general election, he handed over the Prime Minister position to his eldest son, Hun Manet (46). His youngest son, Hun Mani (41), serves as Minister of Public Works, and his nephew-in-law, Net Savoeun, serves as Deputy Prime Minister. His second son, Hun Manith (42), Deputy Commander of the Cambodian Army, also concurrently serves as the head of the intelligence unit under the Ministry of National Defense.
The Election Commission is scheduled to officially announce the election results in a few weeks.
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