Government of Cambodia

On this page

1. Constitution
2. The King
3. Parliament
4. The Royal Government
5. Courts
6. Provinces and local government
7. See also
8. References

On this page

1. Constitution
2. The King
3. Parliament
4. The Royal Government
5. Courts
6. Provinces and local government
7. See also
8. References

The Throne Hall of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

The government of Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy under the 1993 constitution, with a King, a Prime Minister, a two-chamber parliament and courts.

Constitution

The constitution dates from 1993. Its first article describes Cambodia as a kingdom whose King rules under the constitution, and a country that is independent, permanently neutral and non-aligned. The capital is Phnom Penh. The text has been amended since. The English version published by the Constitute Project gives it as amended through 2008, with a Senate that the 1993 text did not have.

Amendments need a two-thirds vote of the National Assembly. The constitution bars any amendment affecting the constitutional monarchy or the system of liberal and pluralist democracy. It also states that the rule that the King "shall reign but shall not govern" can never be amended.

The King

The King is head of state for life. Under the constitution he reigns but does not govern, and he stands as a symbol of the nation's unity. He is the supreme commander of the armed forces, signs laws and decrees, receives foreign ambassadors and may grant amnesty.

The monarchy is not hereditary in a fixed line. A new King is chosen within seven days by the Royal Council of the Throne. Its members include the presidents of the two chambers, the Prime Minister and the heads of the two Buddhist orders, the Mohanikay and the Thommayut. The King must be at least 30 years old and a member of the royal family descended from King Ang Duong, King Norodom or King Sisowath, and he may not name his own heir. Norodom Sihamoni was crowned on October 29, 2004, after his father, Norodom Sihanouk, gave up the throne.

Parliament

The National Assembly is elected by direct, secret, universal ballot for a term of five years. The constitution sets a minimum of 120 members, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union lists 125 seats, all filled by direct election. Candidates must be at least 25 years old and Khmer by birth.

The Senate may have no more than half as many members as the National Assembly, and its term is six years. The King appoints two senators, the National Assembly elects two, and the rest are chosen in a non-universal election. The Inter-Parliamentary Union lists 62 seats, 58 of them elected by commune and sangkat councillors. Laws passed by the National Assembly go to the Senate for review before the King signs them, and the two chambers can meet together as a Congress to settle important national questions.

The Royal Government

The Royal Government is the Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister with deputy prime ministers, senior ministers, ministers and secretaries of state. To form a government, the King names a member of the National Assembly from the party with the most seats, on the request of the Assembly's president and with the agreement of its two vice-presidents. The proposed government then needs a vote of confidence in the Assembly, after which the King appoints it by royal decree.

Ministers answer to the National Assembly together for the government's overall policy, and each answers to the Prime Minister and the Assembly for their own conduct. The Council of Ministers meets every week, and the minutes of its meetings go to the King.

Courts

The constitution makes the judiciary an independent power, held by the Supreme Court and the lower courts, and bars the legislature and the executive from exercising it. Only judges may decide cases, and only the prosecution may bring criminal charges. The Supreme Council of the Magistracy, chaired by the King or his representative, proposes the appointment of judges and prosecutors and handles discipline.

The Constitutional Council has nine members serving nine-year terms, three each appointed by the King, the National Assembly and the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, with a third replaced every three years. It interprets the constitution, reviews laws and decides disputes over the election of members of parliament, and its decisions are final.

Provinces and local government

The amended text divides the country into the capital, provinces, municipalities, districts, called srok or khan, and communes, called khum or sangkat, each governed under an organic law. The commune and sangkat councillors also form the electorate for most of the Senate.

See also

• Cambodia