Cambodia's Controversial Election: A Sham Coronation for Hun Sen

Cambodia's ruling party, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), claimed a landslide victory in the recent election, which was widely criticized as a sham. The only party capable of challenging the CPP, the Candlelight Party, was banned from participating, while the remaining 17 parties allowed to contest were too small or little-known to pose a threat. With Prime Minister Hun Sen's son, Hun Manet, expected to succeed him in a long-prepared transfer of power, the election felt more like a coronation than a democratic process. Hun Sen, who has been in power for 38 years, has consolidated his rule through a combination of political maneuvering, suppression of opposition, and control over the economy. However, there are signs of nervousness within the CPP, as they seek to maintain legitimacy and satisfy the people amidst growing discontent over issues such as land grabs and corruption. The next few years could be a delicate and potentially dangerous time for Cambodia.