KANDAL: Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the longest-serving leaders in the world, is expected to relinquish his role to his son, Dr. Hun Manet, on August 22, 2023. While presiding over the opening of a new bypass road near Phnom Penh this morning, he was sentimental about the upcoming transfer of power, while reminding the public that he would still be playing a key role in the country’s legislative branch.

At the inauguration ceremony for Third Ring Road (Bypass) on August 3, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that perhaps the new Prime Minister will preside over the next ceremony. He announced that this may be his last public audience as the Prime Minister of Cambodia, saying, "Today could be considered the last time I speak as Prime Minister.”

He reminded the crowd that although he will no longer be the Prime Minister, he will still hold office in other areas of the government, most notably as President of the Senate. His Cambodian People’s Party currently holds all Senate seats. Meanwhile, the 7th National Assembly election on July 23 saw the CPP win by a landslide with nearly 78% of the votes. The CPP is expected to hold 120 out of the 125 National Assembly seats-many of which are expected to go to the current Prime Minister’s cabinet members so that the next generation can take over minister positions.

Three days after the election on July 26, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that he would be resigning after 38 years of leading Cambodia. He said that the position would go to his son, Dr. Hun Manet, who had been confirmed as the CPP’s choice for next prime minister. In his speech today, Prime Minister Hun Sen emphasized the sacrifices he has made to maintain the stability, security and long-term development of Cambodia. He has publicly called for his son to maintain the peace he worked so hard to establish.