Cambodia's parliament leadership reshuffle set for next week: PM

English.news.cn   2014-08-18 13:18:22

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks at a food security and nutrition conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Aug. 18, 2014. The 123 Cambodian Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling and opposition parties will vote on Tuesday next week to elect their leadership, Prime Minister Hun Sen, vice president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), said on Monday. (Xinhua/Phearum)

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 123 Cambodian Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling and opposition parties will vote on Tuesday next week to elect their leadership, Prime Minister Hun Sen, vice president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), said on Monday.
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP)'s 55 MPs ended their 10-month long boycott of parliament early this month after Hun Sen and CNRP's President Sam Rainsy reached an agreement to end their differences over last year's election that saw the ruling party won 68 seats.
Under the deal, the CNRP will hold the position of the first vice president of the parliament and chair five of the 10 commissions in the legislative body. Moreover, it will control four of nine seats on the would-be National Election Committee.
"On Tuesday next week, there will be votes for the parliament leadership," Hun Sen said at a food security and nutrition conference.
"Please don't worry, the Cambodian People's Party will honor our promise and vote for the CNRP's candidates in those posts."
The prime minister's guarantee came after some opposition MPs voiced their concerns that the ruling party might break the promise and do not vote for them.
Senior CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said the parliament's current president Heng Samrin will remain the president, while the current first vice president Nguon Nhel will relinquish that position to the CNRP and become second vice president.

Editor: Yang Yi