PHNOM PENH: Dr. Hun Manet has been appointed by royal decree of the King as the Prime Minister of Cambodia for the 7th mandate of the National Assembly. The decree was signed on August 7 and announced by interim Prime Minister Hun Sen on his Telegram the following day.

Article 2 of the decree gives Hun Manet the permission and instruction to form a new cabinet. The new batch of ministers and officials must then be approved by the National Assembly on August 21.

On August 22, Prime Minister Hun Sen is expected to end his 38-year term and his son, Dr. Hun Manet, will take over the role, having been approved by the long-reigning Cambodian People’s Party as the next prime minister. Hun Sen will continue to occupy key government roles, however. He intends to run as President of the Senate in February 2024 and has been appointed by the King as the President of the Supreme Council of the King. He is also President of the Cambodian People’s Party.