In another move away from the court-abolished CNRP, the high-profile former parliamentarian Son Chhay announced Tuesday he was joining the Candlelight Party, urging Cambodians to support the new opposition.
Thach Setha, the party’s vice president, confirmed Chhay’s joining and said the opposition figure’s presence would boost the party’s popularity. Chhay’s position among the Candlelight Party is yet to be determined, Setha said.
“It is more momentum that will provide warmth to the people and supporters, since he was a former senior official of the [CNRP],” Setha said, adding that almost all former senior CNRP officials from Sam Rainsy’s quota have rejoined the Candlelight Party after regaining their political rights.
“We do not see any signs the CNRP will be resumed, so the Candlelight Party is working within the legal framework,” Setha added. “If there was a solution that brings back the CNRP, we will have unity.”
The Candlelight Party, whose members and supporters come mostly from the former CNRP, was rebranded from the Sam Rainsy Party after its merger with the Human Rights Party, which was led by Kem Sokha. That merger formed the CNRP, which was ultimately dissolved in 2017 by the Supreme Court.
According to Setha, Chhay is currently living in Australia and plans to return home at the end of March. Chhay, who was one of the highest-ranking members of the court-dissolved CNRP, received political rehabilitation in 2020.
During his role in the opposition parliament, Chhay won recognition for his efforts to fight corruption while promoting liberal democracy and human rights.
In his party affiliation announcement, Chhay said his union with the Candlelight Party was a return to form.
“The Candlelight Party is the party that I and many Cambodian people used to actively support because it is the party that serves and protects the interest of Cambodians properly,” he said.
Ou Chanrath, vice president of the Cambodia Reform Party (CRP), a new political party formed by former CNRP officials, welcomed Chhay’s decision to re-join the political realm.
“I don’t want to see the potential politicians just keep silent,” Chanrath said. “The decision should be faster, so we have time for the right strategy to reunify or to increase our potential in the competition.”
He said his party is now facing the challenge of nominating commune council candidates while some go to join other parties. Chanrath believed other newly formed parties also faced the same issue.
CPP spokesman Sok Eysan said that Chhay’s participation with Candlelight didn’t register as a threat to the ruling party.
“Nothing to worry about for the CPP and we welcome all political parties that join the election,” Eysan said.
For the CPP, he added, there are currently no new strategies for the commune election because the party is already in place.
There are 45 political parties now preparing to compete in the upcoming commune and national elections. Cambodia will hold commune elections in June this year and general elections in 2023.
As commune elections approach, Prime Minister Hun Sen in February ordered authorities not to interfere with the activities of political parties before and during their campaigns, in order to safeguard the country’s democratic space.
However, electoral observer organizations in Cambodia said on Tuesday that political rights remain under threat of interference from local authorities. Observers such as Comfrel have requested the government do more to ensure the upcoming commune elections are free and fair.
Political analyst Em Sovannara said the participation of Chhay was not surprising, since he was one of the CNRP’s highest-ranking officials.
Sovannara said that, among the new slate of opposition parties, the Candlelight Party is the one with the strongest foundation.
“The party has enough structure and resources with a more supportive base from many Cambodian people,” he said. “So, [Chhay] has a chance to regain the popularity while the party remains valuable, attracting support.”
While unable to compete with the CPP, Sovannara added, some minor parties would gain some commune counselor positions. However, he did not believe there would be a free and fair election which would be accepted by the democratic society.
“These parties are not able to compete with the CPP as the former dissolved CNRP, and no party has the strength to contest the election,” Sovannara said.
