After nearly four decades in power, Cambodia’s authoritarian prime minster Hun Sen, the longest-serving leader in Asia, has announced he is retiring at the age of 70.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) waves to supporters during a campaign rally for the upcoming election in Phnom Penh on July 1, 2023. Cambodians go to the polls on July 23. (Photo by Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP)
Hun Sen, who will remain the leader of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), has signaled that Hun Manet, his eldest son, could become the nation’s next prime minister as early as next month, according to Reuters.
This photo taken on October 13, 2009 shows Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) posing with his son, Hun Manet (R), during a ceremony at a military base in Phnom Penh. (TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)
The announcement comes three days after a general election on Sunday July 23, which resulted in another landslide victory for the CPP.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen prepares to cast his vote at a polling station in Kandal province on July 23, 2023 during the general elections. (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)
The party virtually ran unopposed against 17 other mostly obscure parties, with the only credible opposition, the Candlelight Party, disqualified from running.
Hun Manet (C), commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, with his wife Pich Chanmony (R) greets supporters during a campaign rally in Phnom Penh on July 21, 2023. (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)
Anyone who attempted to boycott the vote was also threatened with penalties.
Under Hun Sen’s rule, almost all opposition has been eliminated, with political opposition jailed or forced into exile and independent media shut down.
Supporters of online media outlet Voice of Democracy (VOD) hold placards in front of VOD office in Phnom Penh on February 13, 2023, after Cambodian Prime Minister said VOD would have its operating licence revoked over a news report about his son. (Photo by SUY SE/AFP via Getty Images)
With a voter turnout of 84.6%, the CPP said it had captured 78 to 80% of the total ballots and the majority of parliamentary seats.
Election officials prepare to count ballots at a polling station in Phnom Penh on July 23, 2023 during the general elections. (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)
The election was widely criticized, with Human Rights Watch saying it bore “little resemblance to an actual democratic process.”
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 135km expressway from the capital Phnom Penh to Bavet city in Svay Rieng province on the Cambodia-Vietnam border, in Phnom Penh on June 7, 2023. (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)
The outcome solidified Hun Sen’s hold on power and set the stage for an expected transition to 45-year-old Hun Manet, who currently serves as the commander of the Royal Cambodian Army.
Hun Manet’s western education background has sparked speculations of a less repressive regime
General Hun Manet, Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, looks on during a promotion ceremony at the Ministry of National Defence in Phnom Penh on April 20, 2023. (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)
However, experts say that it is unlikely that there will be an immediate shift in policies, according to NPR.
In addition, Hun Sen has openly stated that he intends to continue exerting his power as the head of the party and is willing to step in at any point.
