Cambodian opposition make big gains in local elections, strongman Hun Sen posts pictures playing golf
Both sides portray local election results as a victory
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday he was confident of keeping power in next year’s general election after the opposition’s gains in local elections fell short of their hopes.
Communal elections on Sunday were widely seen as a test of strength for opponents of Hun Sen, one of Asia’s longest serving leaders, who is accused by rights groups of using threats, arrests and court cases to undermine his political rivals.
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) won about 46 per cent of votes announced compared with more than 51 per cent for Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in the ballot for 1,600 communes.
It was a big gain for the opposition over its showing in the last local elections, but it had hoped for 60 per cent of the vote.
“It is already clear that the ruling party will remain a majority party in the National Assembly and continue to lead the government ahead,” Hun Sen wrote in a Facebook posting, alongside pictures of himself playing golf.