Hun Sen, ’38 Years in Power’, Declares General Election ‘Overwhelming Victory’.
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party, which has been in power for 38 years, has declared a landslide victory in Cambodia’s parliamentary elections.
As a result, attention is being paid to when the succession of power for the rich will take place, where Prime Minister Hun Sen’s son takes over.
I’m Kim Bum-soo, a correspondent from Hanoi.
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) has declared a landslide victory in the general election held on the 23rd local time.
If the victory is confirmed, Hun Sen could extend his rule for five years.
Candidates from a total of 18 political parties, including the ruling party, voted for a total of 125 seats in the Cambodian general election.
However, the election was held amid controversy as the Candlelight Party, which challenged the ruling party, was disqualified from participating in the general elections in the middle.
The NEC blocked the party from participating in the general election, saying that the candlelight party did not submit related data.
Sam Lang-shi, the former leader of the Cambodian National Salvation Party, who defected to France, encouraged the general election to boycott the vote, calling it a “fake election,” and the U.S. and the European Union did not send a vote observer, saying the election was unfair.
As such, the ruling party has long been expected to sweep the general election.
Cambodia’s National Election Commission estimates that the turnout for this election is 84.2%.
Experts have predicted that the higher the turnout, the greater the likelihood of a landslide victory for the ruling party.
Hun Sen has been in power for 38 years since taking office as prime minister in 1985.
<Seobastian Strangio / Biographer> “The defining characteristic of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s career was ideological and political flexibility. Since the 1990s, he has demonstrated a bizarre ability to lower his posture, get out, and adapt at times to consolidate his power.”
As another landslide victory is expected in the general election, attention is being paid to the timing of the father-son power succession.
Hun Sen announced earlier this year that he would hand over the premiership to his eldest son, Hun Manet, after a five-year term if he wins a second term.
Then a few days before the election, he said, “Three to four weeks after the general election, Hun Manet may become prime minister.”
Hun Manet is a deputy commander of the Cambodian army and a general of the army.
Experts say Hun Manet’s succession to power will take place around the middle of his father’s term, as it takes time for him to be recognized as a successor by established politicians and the public.