Challenges and Resistance for the Cambodian People’s Party Logo
The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) has been at the helm of Cambodia’s political landscape for more than thirty years. Hun Sen has ruled for the past 33 years and is arguably the most powerful and centralized politician in the country. He has also made his mark on the country’s history, eliminating the Khmer Rouge in the 1990s. But his governing style has become increasingly dictatorial and centralized.
As the country moves forward, the new CPP will face its share of challenges and resistance. For starters, it will have to deal with an increasingly young and mobile population. These citizens have developed new ideas about how to govern their country.
Another obstacle will be the fact that the country is undergoing a demographic shift, which has brought many young people to the cities. This means many local officials are finding themselves unable to keep up with the times. Often they have no connections and have little resources.
Young Cambodians have begun to disrupt household structures and other traditional practices. They have begun to impose new rules on their fellow citizens. One of these rules is the right to express oneself.
Several smaller parties were able to compete in the lower house elections in July. However, none of them managed to secure seats in the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the ruling party has been using the defection campaign to secure its own future. Using full force, the government has pressured its opponents to join. It has even jailed some of them. Some have been charged with incitement to commit felony.
There are dozens of CPP-branded vehicles cruising the streets of Cambodia. Among them are a white Range Rover and a Mitsubishi Pajero. Others are not as obvious, tucked away along canals. At a recent rally, the Cambodian People’s Party’s logo was attached to the window of a bus.
In a similar fashion, the CPP has placed posters around the country. Many are located near the Wat Thmey irrigation canal. A slew of merchants are selling CPP-branded products. Most merchants have seen their business soar.
The Cambodian People’s Party has also had to cope with the loss of several key party figures. Keo Eat, the former CNRP’s provincial party chief, was charged with incitement to commit felony, in part for comments he made about the ruling party during the election campaign. While he believed his case was over, he and his co-accused had to consult family members before making a decision.
Despite its shortcomings, the Cambodian People’s Party is still the largest political party in the country. According to a recent survey, it controls 125 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly. And it is unlikely that the other 29 opposition parties will be able to break its hold on power.
In the meantime, the Cambodian government has been cracking down on independent press outlets. Some journalists have been arrested. Independent publications have been forced to close.
Meanwhile, the CPP has launched a “group book” system, requiring its members to display their loyalty to the party. If a member is found to be a traitor, he or she will be sent to prison.
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