The authoritarian leader had long been grooming his son for the top job, and argued Wednesday that it was better to step aside sooner rather than later.
, who won reelection just last week, announced on Wednesday he would install his West Point-trained son next month as the country’s leader and resign after monopolizing politics, jailing rivals and silencing free speech during his nearly four decades in power.
The authoritarian leader had long been grooming his son for the top job, and argued that it was better to step aside sooner rather than later. “If I continue to be prime minister for one or two years, and then resign from the position, the situation will become unstable,”said in a televised address, setting Aug. 22 as the day he would step down. “So it is necessary to have a new cabinet, most of whom are young people responding to their duty for the future.”
His long-time colleagues, including Defense Minister Tea Banh, Interior Minister Sar Kheng, National Assembly President Heng Samrin, and Minister of National Assembly Men Sam On, are slated to also resign. Many younger lawmakers from the ruling party are expected to joinThe transfer of prime ministerial power to his son is scheduled when the newly elected National Assembly, which opens on Aug.
Both the Biden administration and the European Union issued statements criticizing Sunday’s vote. The State Department announced curbs on aid and development assistance for Phnom Penh.
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