Cambodian PM vows to stay in power for another two terms

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that he would stay in power for another two terms to ensure political stability and national development.

Speaking at a ceremony in the capital city of Phnom Penh on June 5, PM Hun Sen said he wants to turn Cambodia into a middle-income nation. Maintaining the leadership role will help him to realise the target, he said.

Meanwhile, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni has called for the people to vote in the forthcoming national election, saying that it is the only chance to elect their leaders in every five years. 

In a royal message released to the media on the same day, King Sihamoni said the forthcoming election is a free, fair, and confidential election. 

Cambodia is scheduled to hold a national election for the 125-seat National Assembly on July 29.

Twenty political parties will contest in the forthcoming election, which will see some 8.3 million people cast their ballots, according to the National Election Committee (NEC).

The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of PM Hun Sen is forecast to continue winning the election as the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) - the biggest opposition party - was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November 2017 after its leader Kem Sokha was arrested and charged with treason for conspiring with a foreign power in an attempt to overthrow the government. 

Up to 118 senior members of the CNRP have also been prohibited to participate in political activity for five years.

In the last election five years ago, eight political parties joined the race. As a result, the CPP won 68 seats against 55 seats for the CNRP in the then-123-seat National Assembly.-VNA