Asian Politics Questions Long
The political system of Cambodia can be described as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The country's political structure is defined by the Constitution of Cambodia, which was adopted in 1993 after the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) administered the country following years of civil war and political instability.
At the top of the political system is the King of Cambodia, who serves as the head of state. The monarchy in Cambodia is primarily ceremonial, with limited political power. The current king, Norodom Sihamoni, ascended to the throne in 2004.
The executive power in Cambodia is held by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the King and is the head of government. The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party that wins the majority of seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament. The Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the country and is accountable to the National Assembly.
The legislative branch of the government consists of the bicameral Parliament, which is composed of the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly is the more powerful of the two chambers and consists of 125 members who are elected through a proportional representation system. The Senate, on the other hand, has 62 members who are indirectly elected by commune councilors, parliamentarians, and the King.
The judiciary in Cambodia is independent of the executive and legislative branches. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the country and is responsible for interpreting and applying the law. However, there have been concerns about the lack of independence and impartiality of the judiciary in Cambodia, with allegations of political interference and corruption.
The political system in Cambodia has been dominated by the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) since the early 1980s. The CPP has maintained a strong grip on power through a combination of political control, patronage networks, and restrictions on political opposition. However, there are other political parties in Cambodia, such as the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was the main opposition party until it was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017.
Overall, the political system of Cambodia is characterized by a constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, and a dominant ruling party. However, there are ongoing challenges related to political freedoms, human rights, and the independence of the judiciary, which impact the functioning of the political system in the country.