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Cambodian parliament officially recognizes opposition chief as minority leader

Xinhua, January 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

The National Assembly of Cambodia has formally recognized Sam Rainsy, president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), as a minority leader "with a rank equal to the prime minister."

"The National Assembly decides to recognize His Excellency Sam Rainsy as the parliamentary minority leader,"according to an announcement signed by Heng Samrin, president of the National Assembly on Tuesday and released to the media on Wednesday.

The announcement came after the assembly on Dec. 19 amended its internal rules to make the way for the recognition of a parliamentary minority leader.

According to the amended rules, the head of any opposition party, holding at least 25 percent of the parliamentary seats, will be formally recognized as a minority leader.

The minority leader, who has a rank equal to the prime minister, will be the dialogue partner of the head of government on issues concerning national interests.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said in December that the minority leader will not have the same powers as he has as Cambodia's head of government. "The minority leader cannot order the armed forces, administration and other government affairs," he said during a graduation ceremony, adding that the recognition is aimed at creating the culture of dialogue between the heads of the ruling and opposition parties.

The assembly comprises 123 lawmakers -- 68 from Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party and 55 from the opposition CNRP. Endi