PHNOM PENH: After 38 years of leading Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that he will not continue as the Prime Minister following the formation of a new government mandated by the 7th National Assembly election held on Sunday. In anticipation of a landslide victory, he will be transferring power to his son, Gen. Hun Manet, who has been appointed by the Cambodian People’s Party as the next Prime Minister.

In a special speech on the afternoon of July 26, 2023, the Prime Minister said, "This is a pre-arrangement of long-term stability for the country."

He confirmed that many current government officials will also leave their positions, making room for new leaders in the Cambodian government. He called on ministers to be ready to resign their positions so that the next generation can lead the country. He suggested the ministers may be given seats in the National Assembly instead.

“I hope you’ll give up [your positions] and take a seat in the National Assembly because we are old,” he said.

Once he has handed over his position as Prime Minister sometime in August, he will then be running in February’s Senate elections to take over as president of the congressional body. Senate elections are voted on by fellow government officials rather than the public. Fifty-eight of the Senate seats are voted in while the remaining four seats are appointed by the National Assembly and the King. Currently, the CPP holds all 62 Senate seats.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said that even though he will be acting as Senate president, he will not be interfering in future Prime Minister Hun Manet’s decisions. “After 38 years, I understand that the Prime Minister’s decisions must be made independently,” he said.