Ben Sokhean  Khmer Times Tue, July 4, 2023

PHNOM PENH – The royalist Funcinpec party headed by Prince Norodom Chakravuth is committed to reviving his party’s popularity despite winning no seats in the last two national elections. However, the party expects to win big this July.

The party held a big rally in Phnom Penh on Sunday, the second day of the 21-day election campaign. The party rolled out in a parade along the streets of the capital involving thousands of supporters and officials.

The party counted around 6,000 people at Sunday’s rally.

Prince Chakravuth, 53, the eldest son of the late Prince Ranariddh, was elected as Funcinpec party president in February last year during the party congress following the death his father in November 2021 in France. Prince Ranariddh was the First Prime Minister of Cambodia after the first democratic election in 1993.

Party spokesman Nhoeun Raden said yesterday, “Prince Chakravuth will visit his supporters and members in most of the provinces in the country, especially Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham to gather support,” he said.

Raden said Funcinpec is confident to win big, stating, “I’ve noticed strong support from the people for this election, which is completely different from the previous two elections.”

The main opposition Candlelight Party (CP) which won 22.25% of the popular vote in last year’s Commune Election was barred from participating in this year’s National Election, leaving Funcinpec alone as the second most popular party after the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).

Raden yesterday said, “We expect to win the election, or at least win half of the total National Assembly’s seats.”

Funcinpec won the first National Election organised by the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1993, gaining 58 out of 120 assembly seats, while the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won 51 seats.

In 1998, Funcinpec secured 43 seats in the National Election, 26 seats in 2003, and only two in 2008. Funcinpec won no seats during the two previous National Elections.

Last year, the party failed to merge with the pro-royalist Khmer National United Party (KNUP) led by Nhek Bun Chhay before the Commune Election.

The party won only 1.27% of the popular vote for the June 5 commune election last year, a 0.63% drop compared to the 2017 Commune Election. The party won only 19 commune councillor positions last year, a nine-seat drop compared to 2017.

The party has issued a nine-point manifesto stating the party’s commitment to protect the Constitutional Monarchy and the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement. It also promises to respect freedom of speech, religious beliefs, women’s rights and social justice.

The party is committed to raise salaries for workers up to $300 per month and to reduce the price of gasoline, electricity and fertiliser along with promises to reform the education sector and crack down on drugs.

If it wins, the party is committed to provide free medical checkups and treatment through public health. It is also committed to protect public properties and natural resources.

Most importantly, the party has promised to build elderly care centres and provide people aged 65 years and over with $50
per month.

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SOURCE: Khmer Times, Cambodia Tue, July 4, 2023

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