The Cambodian legislature has hit out at the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) for refusing to recognise the new National Assembly and Government, declaring that their stance infringes the country’s constitution.

The announcement, dated September 27 and published in a local newspaper on September 29, argued that the CNRP’s September 25 statement calling on the international community not to recognise the new government is a violation of Cambodian law.

The National Assembly insisted that during a high-level meeting between the ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) and the CNRP on September 16-17, the opposition acknowledged that the CPP had won 68 seats and it held 55 seats in the new parliament.

It added that the first session of the new parliament was held on September 23 and chaired by King Sihamoni in accordance with the Cambodian constitution. During the session, the list of 123 elected lawmakers was announced in accordance with election results released by the National Election Committee (NEC) and the 68 CPP members took their oath in front of the King.

The announcement underscored that the election and subsequent formation of parliament were carried out in accordance with the constitution, making CNRP’s statement rejecting the new government illegal and against the country and the King.-VNA