NA’s First Session Begins as Scheduled

Cambodia (Kohker) - The first session of the National Assembly for the fifth legislature officially began this morning without the presence of all 55 elected lawmakers of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

The opening ceremony of the parliament’s first session was held at around 8:00 a.m. under the chairmanship of His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia. Foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations also participated in the ceremony.

In his opening speech, His Majesty the King congratulated the newly-elected lawmakers and expressed his optimism that all elected members of the National Assembly in this new legislature will do their utmost to fulfill their duties to serve the people and the nation.

The monarch also called for high national unity and solidarity based upon the democratic principles and the rule of law being implemented since 1993.

Following the opening ceremony, the National Assembly that consists only 68 lawmakers from the ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) began its first session under the presidency of Samdech Heng Samrin, the eldest lawmaker, to confirm the validity of each member’s mandate and adopt its internal regulations.

At 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, the CPP’s newly elected lawmakers attended the swearing-in ceremony at the Royal Palace.

According to the schedule, the National Assembly will continue their session tomorrow to vote to elect its president, vice-presidents and members of its commissions, and to pass a vote of confidence in the proposed composition of the royal government for the fifth term.

Meanwhile, the opposition CNRP issued a statement criticizing the opening of the parliament’s first session with only participation from the elected lawmakers of the CPP.

The session violated the constitution as Cambodian citizens voted for two political parties, but the session was held with involvement of only one party, they said.