PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A son and son-in-law of Cambodian Prime
Minister Hun Sen will run for parliament in a July general election that
is expected to renew the long-ruling leader's mandate for power, a
spokesman for his party said Wednesday.
Cheam Yeap, a top member
of Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party, said party leaders decided last
week to submit the candidacies of the prime minister's youngest son,
30-year-old Hun Many, and his son-in-law, Dy Vichea, a senior police
officer in the Interior Ministry.
Their candidacies are likely to
increase speculation that Hun Sen is seeking to establish a political
dynasty, even though he is only 60.
Most of Hun Sen's immediate family members hold influential jobs.
His
oldest and most-favored son, Hun Manet, is a two-star army general with
a key defense ministry post, and was on the scene during high-profile
border skirmishes with Thailand.
Second son Hun Manith is a
colonel and senior member of army intelligence, and associated with land
and housing reform programs, as is Hun Sen's youngest daughter. Another
daughter, Hun Mana, runs the popular Bayon TV network, while wife Bun
Rany heads the national Red Cross, which is more active and influential
than in many other countries.
Cheam Yeap said the sons of Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Interior Minister Sar Kheng will also be candidates.
Hun
Sen's party holds 90 of the 123 seats in the lower house of parliament
after a landslide victory in 2008. The party is well-organized and
takes full advantage of its grip on the levers of power.
The
opposition made some inroads in local elections last year, but is likely
to face intimidation in the polls. Opposition leader Sam Rainsy is in
exile to avoid jail after being convicted of offenses linked to a
protest over border demarcation with Vietnam. He says the case against
him is politically motivated.
Hun Sen has been prime minister since 1985, and has said he won't step down until he is 90.
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