Prime Minister Hun Sen has dropped strong hints of his intention to step down as Cambodia’s general election draws near.
Khmer Times reported that Hun Sen sent out the signal while visiting the construction site of a hydropower plant in Pursat province on Tuesday.
He said the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) is well-prepared for a new leadership.
“We have already prepared the plan. When is the right time, that alone matters,” he said, adding “We have found potential young successors, and we should better hand over the (baton) to them and just stay behind them.”
Khmer Times said there have been reports that Hun Sen would step down after a new government is formed after the upcoming general election in July this year to pave the way for his son Lt Gen Hun Manet to take over.
CPP in December, 2021 nominated Hun Manet, who is the commander of the Cambodian army, as the future candidate for prime minister. Khmer Times has also been running a series of articles and opinion pieces lauding what it said to be Hun Manet’s achievements and qualifications as the country’s next leader.
