Politics of Cambodia

Data code: CB

Government type: multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993

Capital: Phnom Penh

Administrative divisions: 20 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 3 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural); Banteay Mean Cheay[?], Batdambang[?], Kampong Cham[?], Kampong Chhnang[?], Kampong Spoe[?], Kampong Thum[?], Kampot[?], Kandal[?], Kaoh Kong, Keb[?]*, Krachen[?], Mondol Kiri[?], Otdar Mean Cheay[?], Phnum Penh[?]*, Pouthisat[?], Preah Seihanu[?]* (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear[?], Prey Veng[?], Rotanah Kiri[?], Siem Reab[?], Stoeng Treng[?], Svay Rieng[?], Takev[?]
note: there may be a new municipality called Pailin

Independence: 9 November 1953 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, November 9 (1953)

Constitution: promulgated September 21, 1993

Legal system: primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law in recent years

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: King Norodom Sihanouk (reinstated September 24, 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Hun Sen[?] (since 30 November 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council; prime minister appointed by the monarch after a vote of confidence by the National Assembly

Legislative branch: bicameral consists of the National Assembly (122 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; two members appointed by the monarch, two elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by "functional constituencies"; members serve five-year terms
elections: National Assembly - last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); Senate - last held 2 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 41%, FUNCINPEC 32%, SRP 14%, other 13%; seats by party - CPP 64, FUNCINPEC 43, SRP 15; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPP 31, FUNCINPEC 21, SRP 7

Judicial branch: Supreme Council of the Magistracy, provided for in the constitution, was formed in December 1997; a Supreme Court and lower courts exercise judicial authority

Political parties and leaders: Buddhist Liberal Party or BLP Ieng Mouly[?]; Cambodian Pracheachon Party or Cambodian People's Party or CPP Chea Sim[?]; Khmer Citizen Party or KCP [[Nguon Soeur[[; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC Prince Norodom Ranariddh[?]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP (formerly Khmer Nation Party or KNP) Sam Rangsi[?]

International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), International Monetary Fund, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WB, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roland ENG
chancery: 4500 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742
FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kent M. WIEDEMANN
embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh
mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546
telephone: [855] (23) 216-436, 216-438
FAX: [855] (23) 216-811

Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band

See also : Cambodia