Cambodia's campaign kicks off for election that strongman Hun Sen is expected to win easily

Cambodia's campaign kicks off for election that strongman Hun Sen is expected to win easily

Montreal Gazette | Associated Press | 27 June 2013

 

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodia's political parties have kicked off campaigning for next month's general election, which is almost certain to extend the rule of Asia's longest-serving leader, Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Hun Sen's well-organized, well-financed political machine is expected to win July 28 polls in a landslide.

Hun Sen has run Cambodia since 1985 with little tolerance for opposition.

Eight parties are taking part in next month's polls to elect 123 lawmakers to the lower house of parliament. The winner forms a new government to run Cambodia for the next five years.

The main opposition party's leader, Sam Rainsy, is in self-imposed exile to avoid 12 years in prison for convictions widely seen as politically motivated.