UPDATED AT 4:39 PM EST ON 7-26-2023
For years, people have talked about Prime Minister Hun Sen’s desire to eventually hand over power to his eldest son, the foreign-educated military general, Hun Manet.
Until recently, the 70-year-old Hun Sen said he would continue as prime minister until after the next parliamentary election in 2028. But in the weeks leading up to last Sunday’s election, speculation grew that the change would happen much sooner.
On Wednesday, Hun Sen called a news conference to say he would step down as prime minister, a position he’s held since 1985.
In a special broadcast on state television, he said a new Hun Manet-led government would be formed on Aug. 22, after the National Election Committee officially reports the results from Sunday’s election.
“I would like to ask for understanding from the people as I announce that I will not continue as prime minister,” he said.
Preliminary results show Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party winning 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly in the July 23 vote, which included Hun Manet as a first-time candidate for parliament from Phnom Penh.
The only viable opposition, the Candlelight Party, was disqualified in May on a technicality.
Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy told Radio Free Asia that announcing the handover before the NEC had even certified the election results was “indecent.”
The Cambodian people “object to nepotism,” as well as the prospect of living “under the grip of the Hun family forever,” he said.
‘Gripping power’
As recently as March, Hun Sen vowed to rule Cambodia until his death.
“Some people said Hun Sen is gripping power. I am accepting that,” he said at a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh. “I am only defending the power that I am having – there is nothing wrong with that.”
But last week, he drastically moved up that timetable when he told China’s Phoenix TV that he could hand power over to the 45-year-old Hun Manet “within three or four weeks” of Sunday’s elections.
That followed various promotions and appointments to government ministries in March and April that seemed to indicate that the sons and daughters of longtime officials would be assuming new leadership roles after the election.
Last week, CPP spokesman Sok Ey San confirmed to Radio Free Asia that a post-election government cabinet would be “90 percent new blood,” with only a few ministers staying on.
Hun Sen's youngest son, Hun Many, thanked his father for his years of service in a message posted on Facebook.
“The Kingdom of Cambodia will move forward with optimism, enthusiasm, confidence, agility and high commitment to the national cause and people,” he said. “Brother Net! We put our trust in you!”
New adviser positions for the old guard
Hun Sen confirmed on Wednesday that he would remain as head of the CPP – a post he previously said he would keep to remain politically involved.
He also said he would serve as president of the Senate and as a member of the Supreme Council of the King.
Changes to the Constitution last year did away with a requirement that the Assembly vote to approve a newly designated prime minister, a move believed aimed at easing the transition to Hun Manet.
Hun Sen added on Wednesday that other aging top officials will be expected to step down from their ministry positions soon. They could possibly serve as high-level advisers or as senators, he said.
He said this transition would include Interior Minister Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An and Defense Minister Tea Banh – all of whom were recently promoted to vice president positions of the CPP.
They will also serve as members of the Supreme Council of the King, he said.
Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Mike Firn and Matt Reed.
This story has been updated with background information and quotes from Sam Rainsy and Hun Many.