State Structure and Political System of Cambodia


Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with a multi-party liberal democracy (since September 1, 1993). Check equzhou for political system of Cambodia.

Administrative division: 19 provinces (khet) and 2 cities of central subordination. The largest cities (thousand people): Phnom Penh, Battambang (94), Kampong Saom (former Sihanoukville) (33), Kampot (13).

The head of state is King Norodom Sihanouk (crowned September 24, 1993). Bicameral parliament – the Senate (61 seats) and the National Assembly (122 seats); members of both chambers are elected for a term of 5 years.

The highest body of legislative power is the National Assembly. The supreme body of executive power is the government of Cambodia, which is formed based on the results of parliamentary elections.

The President of the National Assembly is Prince Norodom Rannarit. The head of government is Hun Sen, leader of the CPP.

In the National Assembly after the 1999 elections, three political parties are represented: 64 seats – the CPP, 43 seats – FUNCINPEC (leader Prince Norodom Rannarit) and 15 seats – the radically pro-American Sam Rainsy Party (leader Sam Rainsy), sharply opposed to Hun Sen.

King Norodom Sihanouk has limited official power (reigns, but does not rule), but at the same time enjoys great influence. At the same time, the political regime in the country cannot be generally called democratic, despite the existence of a parliament, general and municipal elections, and other attributes of democratic power.

In the 1990s Cambodia has managed to achieve some success in the implementation of economic and political development programs. Political stability was seen as the basis and guarantee of economic development, the results of which, however, turned out to be lower than expected. Despite the fact that up to 60% of Cambodia’s budget was formed from external assistance, 39% of the population still continues to be below the poverty line. In this regard, for 2001-05, the fight against poverty and the rise in living standards were declared the priority tasks of the government. Check homeagerly for democracy and human rights of Cambodia.

In foreign policy, the country strives to be based on the principles of neutrality. Cambodia joined the Bali Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (SEA), joined ASEAN, and actively participates in the ASEAN Regional Forum on Security Issues (ARF). The focus of foreign policy is on developing relations with neighboring ASEAN countries, as well as with China and Japan, which leads the international committee for the reconstruction of Cambodia and provides the largest amount of assistance promised to this country by the world community.

Of the economically developed countries, the main partners are the United States, France and, recently, Australia.

The US and Cambodia have fairly extensive trade ties. In 1992 the US lifted the embargo on trade with Cambodia. In 1996, an Agreement on Trade Relations was signed between the two countries. The United States is actively in favor of organizing an international trial of the Khmer Rouge, and the unresolved issue greatly complicates the position of the Hun Sen government in relations with the American administration. Until recently, the Cambodian government rejected UN proposals to organize an international court to try the crimes of the Khmer Rouge, insisting on a national court. On this issue, the position of Cambodia is clearly supported by China.

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces include the Army, Navy and Air Force; created in 1993 by the reunification of the Cambodian People’s Army and two anti-communist resistance armies. The draft age is 18 years. In addition to the state armed forces in Cambodia, there are resistance forces, including the People’s United Army (“Khmer Rouge”) and the separatist royalist movement.

Cambodia has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1955).

Politics of Cambodia

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