AFTER 38 years in power, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed on state television his plan to resign and hand the position to his son in early August.
The confirmation officially ended rumors his 45-year-old son Hun Manet will soon replace him as Prime Minister.
He announced after his ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) achieved a landslide victory in the general elections held this past weekend without any opponent – a move criticized by Western countries and rights organizations.
His oldest son who was the commander of the Royal Cambodian Army won his first seat in parliament just days ago, a position that will make him eligible as Prime Minister.
Hun Manet boasts of Western education under his belt, having graduated from the United States Military Academy West Point with a master’s degree from New York University and a doctorate from Bristol University in Britain.
Despite his Western education, observers don’t expect any immediate shifts in policy after his father, Hun Sen, paved the way to build closer ties between Cambodia and China in recent years.
Hun Sen said he is willing to return to his duties as Prime Minister if his son does not perform well.
