A constitutional monarchy
An elective monarchy
The government
The bicameral parliament
The elections
The political parties
Last updated: 08/10/2008
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The motto of Cambodia: "Nation, Religion, King", is written on the wall of a school in Svay Rieng
© John Vink / Magnum
THE CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
The full version of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia is available online in Khmer , French and English .
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia , which establishes a constitutional monarchy, was promulgated on 24th September, 1993.
The King is officially the head of state. His function is rather symbolical and follows the principle: “the King reigns but does not rule”.
Article 9:
“The King shall assume the august role of arbitrator to ensure the faithful execution of public powers”.
The executive power is actually exercised by the government. The head of government, who comes from the party holding the majority of seats in the National Assembly, is appointed by the King on the recommendation of the president and vice-president of the National Assembly.
The King is the symbol of national unity. He is vested with certain symbolical responsibilities, like the appointment of the Council of Ministers and the signing of decrees. He also holds the title of Supreme Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, is responsible for the granting of Royal Pardon, signs international treaties and conventions, gives his Royal Assent on bills after the Parliament has passed them, and promulgates the laws.
Succession to the throne is not hereditary. It is the responsibility of the Royal Council of the Throne to choose a new King within the royal family after the decease, abdication or retirement of the current monarch.
On 24th September 1993, after the promulgation of the new Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk is enthroned as King of Cambodia again.
Coronation of the King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni, on October 29th 2004
© John Vink / Magnum
On October 7th, Norodom Ranariddh announces on behalf of his father, that Norodom Sihanouk abdicates of the throne. The following day, MPs gather to pass a law on the functioning of the Royal Council of the Throne, as stipulated in the Constitution, in order to set it up. On October 14th, the members of this Council (namely the president of the Senate, the president of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the respective superiors of the two Buddhist orders Mohanikay and Thommayut, and the first and second vice-presidents of the upper and lower chambers) organise elections and unanimously elect Norodom Sihamoni , son of Norodom Sihanouk and his spouse Queen Monineath. The ceremony of coronation was celebrated fifteen days later.
A vote of confidence is organised at the National Assembly and must validate the appointment of the Prime Minister before the latter chooses the members of his government. Members of the government must either come from the lower chamber or be a member of a party which is represented within the latter.
Hun Sen's seat on the occasion of the inauguration of the new building of the National Assembly, 07/07/2007
© John Vink / Magnum
Composition of the new Royal Government of Cambodia :
Head of the government : Hun Sen (official biography available on the royal government's website )
Permanent Deputy Prime Ministers: Sar Kheng, Sok An, Tea Banh, Hor Namhong, Men Sam On, Bin Chhin, Nhek Bunchhay, Keat Chhon and Yim Chhayly
Senior Ministers: Im Chhun Lim, Chhay Than, Cham Prasidh, Mok Mareth, Nhim Vanda, Tav Seng Hour, Khun Hang, Ly Thuch, Kol Pheng, Sun Chanthol, Veng Sereyvuth, Nuth Sokhom, Om Yientieng, Ieng Moly, Var Kim Hong, Yim Nolla
Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers: Sok An (Deputy Prime Minister)
First Secretary of State: Prak Sokhon
Ministers:
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation : Hor Namhong (Deputy Prime Minister)
Women's Affairs: Ing Kantha Phavi
Parliamentary Affairs and Inspection: Mrs Som Kimsuor
Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation : Ith Samheng
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries : Chan Sarun
Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction : Im Chhun Lim
Commerce : Cham Prasidh
Culture and Fine Arts: Hem Chhem
National Defence : Tea Banh (Deputy Prime Minister)
Rural Development : Chea Sophara
Economy and Finance : Keat Chhon (Deputy Prime Minister)
Education, Youth and Sports : Im Sethy
Environment : Mok Mareth
Information : Khieu Kanharith
Interior : Sar Kheng (Deputy Prime Minister)
Industry, Mines and Energy : Suy Sem
Justice: Ang Vong Vathana
Planning : Chhay Than
Posts and Telecommunications : So Khun
Cults and Religions: Min Khin
Water Resources and Meteorology: Lim Kean Hor
Health: Mam Bun Heng
Tourism : Thong Khon
Vocational Training and Labor: Vong Sot
Public Works and Transport : Tram Iv Tek
According to article 121 (previously 102) of the Constitution, all the members of the royal government are collectively responsible to the National Assembly and individually responsible to the Prime Minister.
The National Assembly
The new premises of the National Assembly were inaugurated on July 7th, 2007
© John Vink / Magnum
The National Assembly is composed of 123 Members of Parliament elected for five-year terms by proportional representation, through universal, free, equal and direct suffrage and by secret ballot. The National Assembly convenes twice every year, each meeting session lasting a minimum of three months.
The Senate building was designed by Khmer architect Vann Molyvann
© John Vink / Magnum
The Senate is composed of 61 members elected for six-year terms. Two senators are appointed by the King, two by the National Assembly and the 57 others, since 2006, are appointed by an electoral college through proportional and indirect suffrage. This college is itself composed of Members of the National Assembly and communal councillors. The Senate was created at the end of the year 1998 as Funcinpec and the CPP were drafting an agreement in order to end the political crisis that had been triggered by the legislative elections. Members of the Senate had not been elected then, but designated by the parties which had obtained proportional representation at the National Assembly following the 1998 legislative elections, in other words the CPP, Funcinpec and SRP.
The legal texts examined by the Members of Parliament mainly come from the Government.
The role of the Constitutional Council is to ensure that the Constitution is not violated. It also construes the Constitution and the laws passed by the National Assembly, which are eventually re-examined by the Senate.
In the current Assembly, the CPP holds 73 seats out of 123, when the Funcinpec holds 26 seats and the SRP, 24.
In the current Senate, the CPP holds 45 seats out of 61, when the Funcinpec holds 10 seats and the SRP, 2.
Any Cambodian citizen aged 18 and above and holder of an identity card is entitled to vote.
Any Cambodian citizen aged 25 and above and holder of an identity card is eligible.
Since the creation of the state of Cambodia in 1993, which guarantees a multi-party system, the country has organised four legislative elections (1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008), two commune elections, (2002 and 2007) and one senate election (2006).
A National Election Committee (NEC) was set up. Its role is to organise and supervise legislative, senate and commune elections.
Independent organisations for the observation of the electoral process, such as COMFREL and NICFEC , have been created in order to improve transparency in the elections.
Counting up of the votes at Wat Phnom school after the legislative elections held on 28/07/2003
© John Vink / Magnum
Around forty political groups are officially registered at the Ministry of Interior, but, according to Sak Setha, the Interior Ministry General Department Director, the main ones are known as follows:
Cambodian People's Party (CPP): presided by Chea Sim (president of the Senate). Status: ruling party since 1979.
Funcinpec : National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia, presided by Keo Puth Rasmey (Deputy Prime Minister). Status: takes part in the governmental coalition.
Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP): presided by Chhim Siekleng. Status: opposition.
Sam Rainsy Party (SRP): presided by Sam Rainsy. Status: opposition.
Human Rights Party (HRP): presided by Kem Sokha. Status: opposition.
Last updated: 08/10/2008
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By Doris
By John Vink
By Doris