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Cambodians expect more of the same as Hun Sen’s son set to take power: ‘we have no hope’
- Hun Sen has for years aimed for his son Hun Manet to take over, boosting the younger man’s profile and control of Cambodia’s security apparatus
- Critics say Hun Manet’s ‘only political programme is to follow his father’, but note that he may face a less pliant public than under Hun Sen
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After a walkover election widely pilloried outside Cambodia for being neither free nor fair, Prime Minister Hun Sen is poised to hand power to his eldest son Hun Manet, but observers warn 38 years of one-man rule may not fall neatly into his successor’s lap.
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The 70-year-old leader said in a speech on Wednesday that he would step down as prime minister. “Hun Manet...will become the prime minister in the coming weeks,” he said, adding the new premier will be appointed on August 10.
“I will continue as the head of the ruling party and member of the National Assembly,” he said. The newly elected parliament will convene on August 21 and a new cabinet would be sworn in on August 22.
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Hun Sen has said for years he wants Hun Manet to take over and has boosted the younger man’s profile and control of the security apparatus, with Hun Sen’s government promoting his son to a four-star general and deputy commander of the armed forces.
Hun Manet has also been promoted at meet-and-greets with top leaders from China, Cambodia’s most important ally.
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