Cambodian parliament elects Hun Sen’s son as prime minister
Bangkok, Aug 22 (EFE).- Cambodia’s parliament on Tuesday endorsed the nomination of Hun Manet as the Asian country’s new prime minister, after nearly four decades of rule by his father, Hun Sen.
The 123 lawmakers present in the 125-member National Assembly voted unanimously in favor of Hun Manet in a vote of confidence broadcast live on social networks.
The process is however seen as a mere procedural formality given the dominance of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in the Legislature.
The new prime minister is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday itself, along with the announcement of his new cabinet.
On Aug. 7, King Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree to appoint Hun Manet, 45, as prime minister of the country following the resignation on July 26 of his 71-year-old father, who assumed power in 1985 and ruled Cambodia with an iron fist.
Hun Manet, a political greenhorn and a four-star general trained at the US military academy in West Point, led the CPP in Phnom Penh in the July 23 general election.
The CPP, headed by Hun Sen, then secured 82.3 percent of votes in the elections, not considered free and fair due to the suspension of the main opposition Candlelight Party and harassment of dissidents, among other things. EFE
pav/sc
