Picture Credit: AFP
What is NEXT between the CPP and the CNRP?
After cutting the deal on 22 July
2014, the Cambodian People Party (CPP) with 68 seats and the opposition Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP) with 55 seats lawmakers sat together for the first time in the National
Assembly on 8 August 2014. The center
of that deal for the CNRP is the complete overhaul of the existing CPP
controlled National Election Committee, which will require amending the
constitution. As for the CPP, Prime
Minister Hun Sen has regained full legitimacy – both morally and legally – in
running the government. Many pertinent
questions remain unanswered: Will this hastening agreement last or just simply a knotted tying for political convenience? Can both political parties work together for
the good of the people and put national interest first and foremost? Can the CPP tolerate a strong opposition
party at the National Assembly? Can the
CPP handle critical debates in the parliament to push for better transparency
and responsibilities to implement rule of law, to promote inclusiveness and to
improve the courts? Will this new and first bipartisan political system work for the benefit of the nation? It is too early to
tell but it is obvious that the ruling party has much more experiences and is
better prepared and wily seasoned on dealing with those issues. Furthermore, the CPP has the ultimate power to legitimize almost all their activities, for example during the political deadlock, government security officials beat and arrested demonstrators at will, and at least seven innocent people were shot dead. This demonstrates that Cambodians do not live
under the rule of law, but under the rule of power. For the CNRP, it is imperative for their members to stay united and to avoid
internal conflicts, which is easier said than done once power arrangements
within the party will not be evenly distributed. If they want to continue to gain the support of the masses, they must be passionate to push for positive changes, to insist for real reforms, to promote human rights and
democracy because in Cambodia freedom is not free, truth must be fought for and justice must be demanded. Yet, the future of Cambodia depends on both
parties to work cohesively and productively (checks and balances) together to
deliver lasting results such as ending corruption and the culture of impunity, eliminating land grabs, stopping all illegal loggings, implementing pro poor growth, and applying the rule of law to all. On the other hand, Cambodians must learn to put their difference aside and
unite during this challenging time as the ruling and the opposition party
focus on finding the common grounds. What Cambodians really need most are solutions not empty promises as before.
