In this file photo taken on June 18, 2020, Cambodian Armed Forces deputy commander-in-chief Lieutenant General Hun Manet walks past the honour guard during a ceremony to deploy 290 purchased Chinese military trucks to its security forces at the National Olympic stadium in Phnom Penh. (TANG CHHIN SOTHY / AFP)
PHNOM PENH – The Central Committee of the Cambodia People's Party (CPP) on Friday unanimously decided to endorse Hun Manet, the eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, as the future prime ministerial candidate, the ruling party's statement said.
The decision was made during the party's 43rd Central Committee meeting held at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh, the statement said, adding that the meeting was presided over by Hun Sen, president of the CPP, and National Assembly President Heng Samrin, honorary president of the CPP.
Manet, 44, is currently a member of the CPP's Permanent Committee, and in the army, he is a deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and the commander of the Royal Cambodian Army.
Hun Manet, 44, is currently a member of the Cambodia People's Party's Permanent Committee, and in the army, he is a deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and the commander of the Royal Cambodian Army
Hun Sen announced early this month that Manet will be the next prime ministerial candidate after his possible retirement in 2030.
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Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, CPP spokesman Suos Yara said two senior CPP members, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Men Sam An, were elected as the party's vice-presidents during the meeting.
The CPP now has four vice-presidents including Senate President Say Chhum and Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng, he said.
"The Central Committee has urged all the CPP's members to strengthen solidarity and internal unity, in order to implement the party's political programs and decisions successfully for the sake of the nation and people," Yara said.
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He added that the Central Committee also appealed to the Cambodians to protect the country's peace, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.