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Agence France-Presse

Former Cambodian leader Hun Sen was promoted to Senate president on Wednesday, taking over a key ceremonial role less than a year after handing power to his son.
Hun Sen stepped down in August after nearly four decades of iron-fisted rule, passing the baton to his eldest son Hun Manet following a landslide win in national polls held without any significant opposition parties.
Cambodia’s Hun Sen resigns as prime minister after 38 years
In February his ruling Cambodian People’s Party won 55 seats – including his own – out of 58 in the Senate election, with the opposition Khmer Will Party taking the remainder.
On Wednesday senators unanimously voted to approve Hun Sen as president of the senate after King Norodom Sihamoni convened its first meeting.
The position allows Hun Sen to act as acting head of state when the king is overseas.
Addressing the senators after the vote, Hun Sen thanked them for the “honour”.
“It is my first time to sit on such a high chair,” he said, saying he would use the second-highest ceremonial role – only superseded by the king – to further Cambodia’s international diplomacy.

There are 62 senators, with 58 elected in February by 125 MPs and more than 11,000 local administrators, mostly members of Hun Sen’s party.
King Norodom Sihamoni appoints two senators, while the National Assembly appoints two others.
Analysts said Hun Sen’s new role would allow him to continue to dominate the country.
“The Senate isn’t a powerful political or legislative body, but it holds the highest ceremonial role as the highest political symbol of the nation,” Cambodian political analyst Ou Virak said.
In Cambodia, symbolism is everywhere and everything
Ou Virak, Cambodian political analyst
He said because of the king’s frequent travels, Hun Sen taking the role of senate president was significant – and hugely symbolic.
“In Cambodia, symbolism is everywhere and everything,” he said.
It is the latest in a series of moves that have seen Hun Sen consolidate power across the government.
US expresses ‘serious concerns’ about China-funded upgrade to Cambodia navy base
The administration now includes a number of Hun Sen’s relatives, including his youngest son Hun Many as a deputy PM, with several children of his allies also holding top jobs.
After coming to power in 1985, Hun Sen helped modernise a country devastated by civil war and genocide.
But critics say his rule has also been marked by environmental destruction, entrenched corruption and the elimination of nearly all political rivals.


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Cambodia

Hun Sen becomes Cambodia’s Senate president, allowing him to act as head of state when king is overseas

Hun Sen pictured on Wednesday upon his arrival at the Senate building in Phnom Penh. Photo: AFP

Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni (centre) walks past hounor guards upon his arrival at the Senate building in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Cambodia urged to target ‘key figures’ as Chinese scam gangs defy crackdowns in ‘sin city’

An aerial view of Sihanoukville. The city has become known as a hub for scam operations over the past few years. Photo: Shutterstock

Southeast Asians swing towards China alignment as pro-Israel bias hurts US, new survey shows

A Palestinian walks past al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Monday after the Israeli army withdrew from the building following a two-week military operation. Photo: EPA-EFE

Passengers ride a cross-border passenger train on the Chinese-built China-Laos Railway in September 2023. Photo: Laura Zhou

A Chinese coastguard ship fires water cannon towards a Philippine resupply vessel on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea last month. Photo: Reuters

People wait to receive food aid in the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 30. Photo: Xinhua

Representatives vote on a draft resolution on the Israel-Gaza war during a UN Security Council meeting in New York on March 25. Photo: Xinhua

Cambodians expect more of the same as Hun Sen’s son set to take power: ‘we have no hope’

Hun Manet, commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, shows his finger after he casts his vote at a polling station on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Hun Manet, son of Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, is seen at a polling station on in Phnom Penh on Sunday, the day of Cambodia’s general election. Photo: Reuters

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen shows his ballot at a polling station on Sunday. The 70-year-old strongman has said for years that he wants his son to take power after him. Photo: Xinhua

Hun Manet shows his finger after he casts his vote at a polling station. Despite his increasingly public presence, little is known about Hun Sen’s son. Photo: AFP

Election officials count ballots at a polling station on Sunday. Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party secured 82.3 per cent of the vote, according to preliminary results. Photo: AFP

Election officials empty a ballot box to prepare the counting of the votes in Phnom Penh. Ahead of Sunday’s vote, Hun Sen said he could pass the leadership to his son within three or four weeks. Photo: EPA-EFE

What next for Cambodia’s US ties, China trade deals after Hun Sen’s certain electoral win?

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen before their meeting at November’s Asean summit in Phnom Penh. Photo: AP

Cambodian and Chinese officials at the groundbreaking ceremony for a shipyard repairing and restoration workshop at the Ream naval base in June last year. Photo: Cambodia’s Fresh News via AP

Hun Manet (second from right), the eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, and his wife Pich Chanmony (left) during a general election campaign rally in Phnom Penh on July 1. Photo: EPA-EFE

The China-built Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia. Photo: PPSHV Expressway Handout via Xinhua

Cambodia’s Hun Sen wants ‘back in Beijing’s orbit’ during China visit amid balancing act with US

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) linking arms with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) during a meeting at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh in August 2022. Photo: Cambodia’s government cabinet/Handout via AFP/File

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen (L), who has led the country for more than three decades, has backed his eldest son Hun Manet to take over the top job, paving the way for a political dynasty. Photo: AFP/File

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

The former Cambodian leader took over the country’s second-highest ceremonial role less than a year after handing power to his son Hun Manet
The position allows Hun Sen to act as acting head of state when the king is overseas. Analysts say it will mean he continues to dominate Cambodia


The former Cambodian leader took over the country’s second-highest ceremonial role less than a year after handing power to his son. The position allows him to act as acting head of state when the king is overseas.


Hun Sen

Royalty

Hun Sen becomes Cambodia’s Senate president, allowing him to act as head of state when king is overseas

The former Cambodian leader took over the country’s second-highest ceremonial role less than a year after handing power to his son Hun Manet The position allows Hun Sen to act as acting head of state when the king is overseas. Analysts say it will mean he continues to dominate Cambodia

The former Cambodian leader took over the country’s second-highest ceremonial role less than a year after handing power to his son Hun Manet

The position allows Hun Sen to act as acting head of state when the king is overseas. Analysts say it will mean he continues to dominate Cambodia