Ruling Party Votes in Administration, Despite Opposition Boycott

The ruling Cambodian People’s Party on Tuesday voted in a package measure to select the ranking members of the National Assembly, while reaffirming Hun Sen as prime minister. The vote, 68 to 0, took place under a National Assembly session that was boycotted by the opposition’s 55 lawmakers elect. Hun Sen told reporters after the session he was considering legal action against the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party for its claims that the Assembly session was an abuse of the law unilaterally undertaken by the CPP without the consent of the opposition. He also said the door remains open for the opposition to join in the parliament. The vote comes following an election in July that the opposition says was tainted by irregularities and fraud. The CPP also appointed eight different ministers, including a replacement for Keat Chhon, the longstanding Minister of Finance, and Cham Prasidh, the former Minister of Commerce. (Heng Reaksmey and Kong Sothanarith, Phnom Penh)