Written by Sophan Seng
Wednesday, 01 October 2008
Dear Editor
I refer to your article “New CPP-dominated Assembly sworn in” [Phnom Penh Post, September 25.] The recent swearing-in is a historical moment for Hun Sen’s political leadership – his way to premiership was smooth and democratically legitimised. Previously, his path to premiership had experienced some hardships. For instance, in 1993 he was the second prime minister with Prince Norodom Rannaridh as first prime minister; in 1998 there was the coup that allowed him to consolidate his sole premiership; in 2003 parliament was stalled for almost one year before his premiership was given to him again.
I appreciate the fact that this 2008 assembly mandate has been smoothly, legally sworn in, and in particular the participation of the Sam Rainsy Party’s 26 representatives who endorse Hun Sen’s premiership for another five years as mandated. But the successful ascent to premiership through parliament does not warrant the level of centralisation in the executive branch. His government comprises far more high-ranking members than before, especially those from the dominant CPP party.