Talks held over Cambodia’s election impasse between the Vice President of the National Cambodian People's Party (CPP), Prime Minister Hun Sen, and the opposition leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy failed to reach a breakthrough on September 14.
The meeting, hosted by King Norodom Sihamoni, lasted for nearly 30 minutes at the Royal Palace. Both Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy refused to hold a press briefing with reporters after the meeting. However, an anonymous CPP official said the governing party would soon issue a press release.
Meanwhile, the CNRP is busy preparing for its camp-out protest which will start on September 15.
The National Election Committee (NEC) has released the results of the July 28 election, confirming that Hun Sen’s ruling CPP were victorious with 68 parliamentary seats, while the CNRP led by Sam Rainsy received the remaining 55 seats.
However, the CNRP rejected the results and urged for the formation of an independent election probe committee with the participation of the UN to solve remaining disputes over the outcome of the vote. Despite the opposition’s ongoing protests, the first parliamentary session of the new Cambodian national assembly will open on September 23.
Fearing the disagreement between the CPP and the CNRP could lead to political paralysis, as it did after the 1998 and 2003 national elections, Cambodia’s Interior Ministry on September 13 said it will allow the CNRP to hold only one day of peaceful protest. The CNRP is not allowed to march or camp-out overnight in the capital’s Freedom Park, where the protestors are expected to gather.-VNA
The meeting, hosted by King Norodom Sihamoni, lasted for nearly 30 minutes at the Royal Palace. Both Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy refused to hold a press briefing with reporters after the meeting. However, an anonymous CPP official said the governing party would soon issue a press release.
Meanwhile, the CNRP is busy preparing for its camp-out protest which will start on September 15.
The National Election Committee (NEC) has released the results of the July 28 election, confirming that Hun Sen’s ruling CPP were victorious with 68 parliamentary seats, while the CNRP led by Sam Rainsy received the remaining 55 seats.
However, the CNRP rejected the results and urged for the formation of an independent election probe committee with the participation of the UN to solve remaining disputes over the outcome of the vote. Despite the opposition’s ongoing protests, the first parliamentary session of the new Cambodian national assembly will open on September 23.
Fearing the disagreement between the CPP and the CNRP could lead to political paralysis, as it did after the 1998 and 2003 national elections, Cambodia’s Interior Ministry on September 13 said it will allow the CNRP to hold only one day of peaceful protest. The CNRP is not allowed to march or camp-out overnight in the capital’s Freedom Park, where the protestors are expected to gather.-VNA
