By Jérôme Morinière
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Two months into the election, the names of the parties authorized to take part in the general election are now known, but there are only 11 of them. A number much smaller than that in 2003, where there were 23 parties, and 39 parties in 1998.
The decrease can be explained in many ways. The optimistic version: during the years, the political class is becoming professional, and the parties that remain are those which are the most credible ones. This theory may not fare well with the actual facts.
In this edition, Cambodge Soir Hebdo presents the first two parties: Hang Dara and the Khmer Republican party, founded by Lon Nol’s son. Their programs really lack consistence to offer themselves as an alternative choice to the more powerful CPP. The decrease in the number of competing parties can, more correctly, mean some discouragement of the opposition in front of the CPP. Some parties no longer want to waste time and money in a fight which they know they will lose.
Nevertheless, the election remains interesting. Of course, the CPP is the favorite, and Prime minister Hun Sen appears as the truly strongman. However, is he really sheltered from internal contest within his own party? This is not as certain as it may look… From the outside, under an economic condition which is increasingly difficult, Hun Sen’s adversaries, especially the Sam Rainsy Party, could take advantage of the public discontent. From one election to the next, the SRP gained votes. Will the SRP continue its climb in 2008? Funcinpec is faring very badly. The NRP, with or without its chief presence, does not fare any better than Funcinpec. To think that these 2 parties will garner a good score during the election would be surprising.
More globally, it would be interesting to see which arguments the candidates will used during the election campaign. Will they be able to seduce the voters who are supposed to be more and more indifferent to the election? A large number of abstentions will mean that the young democracy in Cambodia does not fare well at all.
The decrease can be explained in many ways. The optimistic version: during the years, the political class is becoming professional, and the parties that remain are those which are the most credible ones. This theory may not fare well with the actual facts.
In this edition, Cambodge Soir Hebdo presents the first two parties: Hang Dara and the Khmer Republican party, founded by Lon Nol’s son. Their programs really lack consistence to offer themselves as an alternative choice to the more powerful CPP. The decrease in the number of competing parties can, more correctly, mean some discouragement of the opposition in front of the CPP. Some parties no longer want to waste time and money in a fight which they know they will lose.
Nevertheless, the election remains interesting. Of course, the CPP is the favorite, and Prime minister Hun Sen appears as the truly strongman. However, is he really sheltered from internal contest within his own party? This is not as certain as it may look… From the outside, under an economic condition which is increasingly difficult, Hun Sen’s adversaries, especially the Sam Rainsy Party, could take advantage of the public discontent. From one election to the next, the SRP gained votes. Will the SRP continue its climb in 2008? Funcinpec is faring very badly. The NRP, with or without its chief presence, does not fare any better than Funcinpec. To think that these 2 parties will garner a good score during the election would be surprising.
More globally, it would be interesting to see which arguments the candidates will used during the election campaign. Will they be able to seduce the voters who are supposed to be more and more indifferent to the election? A large number of abstentions will mean that the young democracy in Cambodia does not fare well at all.
9 comments:
half a million cpp supporters will defect to the srp. and no need to hold a public celebration ceremony to show off.
Agree ...
Wrong, it's the other way around, stupid!
you bet ? the srp votes will go up to around 2 million votes, from last time about 1.2 million.
That is after the fuckin NEc cheated teh ballot papers. if they are neuteral, more votes will be on srp side.
A number much smaller than that in 2003, where there were 23 parties, and 39 parties in 1998.
Would not surprise if the number of political party would eventually get smaller and smaller as the day go day.
For fact, many political parties contested in 2003 election went busted financially and morally due to
1] lacking of firm platform for the country
2] too expensive in doing politic in Cambodia.
Hang Dar party has been around for a while [since last election]
The new comer Khmer Republican party will not do any good in this election due to the fact that there's not many repulic blood existed in Cambodia and people who lived through the Lon Nol Khmer Republic are inconvinced about the president of this party.
FUNCIPEC will stand to loose more seats in this election while RNP would not gain any sympathy from the people either.
It would be as usual - the fight between CPP and SRP for supremecy. It is the question "who would win the most run off seats stand to lose by FUNCIPEC".
just vote for MR SAM RAINSY he the only best one .we all will united.
Yes, I am sure most Zimbabweans will love the idea and probably vote for him, but he's in the wrong country right now.
Good luck for all political party, I am sure all of you do every thing for our country and for our people.
No matter who going to win the election,Need to work together to rebuild our Country for our people.
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