Cambodia's Unfree Election and Potential Succession Crisis
from Asia Unbound, Asia Program, and Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy

Cambodia's Unfree Election and Potential Succession Crisis

Cambodia's recent election exposes its looming succession crisis.
Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, waves to people during the final Cambodian People's Party (CPP) election campaign for the upcoming general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 21, 2023.
Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, waves to people during the final Cambodian People's Party (CPP) election campaign for the upcoming general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 21, 2023. Cindy Liu/Reuters
Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick and Abigail McGowan
July 26, 2023 9:52 am (EST)

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Cambodia

Elections and Voting

On July 23, Cambodia held elections for its National Assembly that the United States and other democracies have deemed “neither free nor fair.” The outcome of the stage-managed vote, which granted the ruling Cambodian People’s Party a landslide victory, is due to the lack of political opposition in the country. During his thirty-eight-year rule, Prime Minister Hun Sen has become increasingly authoritarian—he has effectively suppressed dissent from opposing political parties, the media, and civil society. For more on the election and its implications for the potential succession of Hun Sen’s son, Hun Manet, check out Joshua Kurlantzick's new CFR In Brief.

More on:

Cambodia

Elections and Voting

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