Cambodia's 2 major oppositions submit application to form a new party

 

The logo of the National Salvation Party

Xinhua | 20 August 2012

By Agencies The Sam Rainsy Party, which is the country's main opposition party, and the Human Rights Party on Monday submitted an application to the Ministry of Interior to form a new party called "Cambodia National Rescue Party" in order to compete in the general election in July next year.

"We had submitted documents to the Ministry of Interior this morning to establish a new party party," Pol Horm, spokesman for the Human Rights Party and vice-president of the yet-to-form party, told reporters in a press briefing.

According to Pol Horm, the proposed party will be led by self- exiled Sam Rainsy, president of the Sam Rainsy Party.

"Under to the law on political parties, the Ministry of Interior has 15 days to examine and decide if the proposed party is qualified enough for registration," he said.

The two opposition parties announced to form the new party on July 17 in order to gain stronger support from voters in the general election next year.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Aug. 1 that his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has "no fear or concern" over the merger plan of the two opposition parties, adding that the move has no even slight impact on the CPP.

Cambodia sets to hold the general election in July 2013.

The last election was held in July 2008. As a result, the Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen won 90 seats out of the 123 seats in the National Assembly, followed by the Sam Rainsy Party with 26 seats, the Human Rights Party 3 seats, the Norodom Ranariddh Party 2 seats and the Funcinpec Party 2 seats.