The eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen. led the Cambodian People’s Party on the last day of campaigning Ahead of the general election on Sunday (July 23),
Hun Manet, 45, kicked off the final day of the campaign with a speech to some 30,000 supporters before leading a parade of cars, tuk-tuks and motorbikes. paraded around Phnom Penh and interesting is Today’s campaign, His father, Samdech Hun Sen, was not present.
Hun Manet said during the speech: History has shown that Only the Cambodian People’s Party that can bring safety and peace to Cambodia At the same time, they accuse extremist groups of Trying to destroy the upcoming election, he said Cambodians saw all the dirty tricks.
Critics question the legitimacy of the Cambodian election.
Hun Sen’s son opens Cambodian People’s Party election campaign
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He also reiterated to supporters that to exercise their right to vote correctly do not lose the card and elected the Cambodian People’s Party for the party to win a landslide victory
Hun Manet’s first run for office is one of the final stages in a decades-long process of preparing to succeed Prime Minister Hun Sen.
In 2021, Samdech Hun Sen nominated Hun Manet as his successor. which shortly thereafter The Cambodian People’s Party has endorsed Hun Manet as the next Prime Minister of Cambodia. After HRH Hun Sen’s retirement from office
Before becoming prime minister, Hun Manet must first be a member of the parliament. He will become an MP if he wins the seat in Sunday’s election. and was approved by the King of Cambodia
However, it is not yet clear whether When will this political transition take place? While some scholars noted that Sunday’s election could be the last for Prime Minister Hun Sen.
For many, Hun Manet represents a new generation that will make Cambodia go further. He grew up and received a general education in Phnom Penh. Before Samdech Hun Sen sent him to study at the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1999 and became the first Cambodian to graduate there.
He then earned a Master’s degree in Economics from New York University. and continued his studies in economics at the University of Bristol in England until he completed his Ph.D.
In 2003, Hun Manet told the team of authors of Hun Sen’s biography that he admired many aspects of American culture, such as people’s freedom and the opportunity to do what they wanted. tolerance for differences And looking at things from many angles, Hun Manet also said that A country needs to develop to some extent before democracy can perform its functions. Otherwise, it will be easily controlled by money.
While studying abroad, Hun Manet was promoted to the Cambodian Army. from the Prime Minister’s Guard Be the commander of an anti-terrorist unit. army commander and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Cambodian Armed Forces until recently received the rank of 4-star general
However, Samdech Hun Sen once said that He expects his heirs to rule Cambodia in his own way. otherwise He might take power back.
In the past, the Cambodian authorities have been criticized for Seeking to crack down on political opponents and dissidents ahead of this election, the main opposition Sangthian Party (CLP) has been trying to crack down on political opponents and dissidents. disqualified from this election After the Election Commission said Submitting registration documents that do not meet the new established criteria make the Cambodian People’s Party almost without competitors Because 18 other parties are running for election. They are all small parties. and is unlikely to compete with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party
Meanwhile, some political activists have called on Cambodians to boycott the election. or invalidate the card to protest But the Cambodian parliament amended the electoral law. Those who do not vote in the July 23 election will be disqualified from future elections. Those who persuade others not to vote could face a fine of 5 to 20 million reais (about 40,000 to 165,000 baht), while those who incite people to lose their ballots may also be prosecuted.
by the beginning of the month Two Sangthian Party members were arrested. He was accused of inciting people to destroy ballot papers. While on Monday (July 17), the Cambodian Election Commission cut political rights against opposition leader Sam Rainsy. and 16 other party members for 25 years for the same reason.
Human Rights Watch has called on Cambodian authorities to stop harassing and prosecuting Sangthian Party members and activists, saying the Cambodian government has robbed the right of many Cambodians to vote for their party of choice. which they have the right to express their opinions on the matter.
while the Asian Network for Free Elections which has offices in Bangkok, said the upcoming elections in Cambodia will still lack independence and fairness The exclusion of the Sangthian Party from the election is a clear example of the restriction of political space. and severely deprived the opposition party
However, a Cambodian People’s Party spokesman told the Straits Times newspaper that The Election Commission of Cambodia operates in all respects. While the party hopes This election will see more than 80 percent of the people turn out to vote.
Picture from: AFP
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2023-07-21 11:39:00
