(Kyodo) - Cambodia's royalist FUNCINPEC party on Wednesday ousted Prince Norodom Ranariddh as its president in an extraordinary congress.
Party members who attended the meeting in the capital Phnom Penh elected Keo Puthrasmei as the party's executive leader.
The move was orchestrated by Nhiek Bun Chhay, secretary general of the party and a former defense minister.
Ok Socheat, an adviser to Prince Ranariddh, told Kyodo News that the move was illegal and aimed at reducing the power of the prince.
However, Nhiek Bun Chhay, told reporters after the congress that the move was not meant to oust Ranariddh, adding that he retains his title as the party's historical leader.
Nhiek Bun Chhay has earlier expected some 4,000 to 5,000 party supporters would attend the meeting, but only some 600 actually appeared.
Ok Socheat said that Ranariddh, who is currently in France, will release a statement rejecting the decision later Wednesday or Thursday.
Keo Puthrasmei, currently Cambodia's ambassador to Germany, is not a well-known personality among Cambodians, but he is a son-in-law of retired King Norodom Sihanouk.
Led by Ranariddh, FUNCINPEC won the most votes in the 1993 U.N.-sponsored general election. However, Ranariddh became co-prime minister with Hun Sen of the Cambodian People's Party.
Since then, FUNCINPEC has gone on to play an increasingly minor role in coalition governments with the CPP.
FUNCINPEC fared poorly in the 2003 general election, leading to a split inside the party, with a majority faction led by the prince and another led by Nhiek Bun Chhay, who is closely associated with Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Hun Sen has recently suggested that FUNCINPEC should seek a new leader he would be more willing to work with.
Party members who attended the meeting in the capital Phnom Penh elected Keo Puthrasmei as the party's executive leader.
The move was orchestrated by Nhiek Bun Chhay, secretary general of the party and a former defense minister.
Ok Socheat, an adviser to Prince Ranariddh, told Kyodo News that the move was illegal and aimed at reducing the power of the prince.
However, Nhiek Bun Chhay, told reporters after the congress that the move was not meant to oust Ranariddh, adding that he retains his title as the party's historical leader.
Nhiek Bun Chhay has earlier expected some 4,000 to 5,000 party supporters would attend the meeting, but only some 600 actually appeared.
Ok Socheat said that Ranariddh, who is currently in France, will release a statement rejecting the decision later Wednesday or Thursday.
Keo Puthrasmei, currently Cambodia's ambassador to Germany, is not a well-known personality among Cambodians, but he is a son-in-law of retired King Norodom Sihanouk.
Led by Ranariddh, FUNCINPEC won the most votes in the 1993 U.N.-sponsored general election. However, Ranariddh became co-prime minister with Hun Sen of the Cambodian People's Party.
Since then, FUNCINPEC has gone on to play an increasingly minor role in coalition governments with the CPP.
FUNCINPEC fared poorly in the 2003 general election, leading to a split inside the party, with a majority faction led by the prince and another led by Nhiek Bun Chhay, who is closely associated with Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Hun Sen has recently suggested that FUNCINPEC should seek a new leader he would be more willing to work with.
2 comments:
"move was illegal and aimed at reducing the power of the prince" said Ouk Socheat.
To Ouk Socheat
a man like prince Ranarith has value as leader or politcian?
Ans: he must kicked ass like this. and you too.
The move was legal and aimed at firing Ah Krom Pret from power
And Ah Krom Pret will be fired from parliament member
And Finally Ah Krom Pret has Zero power
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