Cambodian opposition party boycotts parliamentary meeting
All lawmakers of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) boycotted the session of the National Assembly of Cambodia in Phnom Penh on January 31 in protest against the amendment to its rules to scrap the status of "minority leader" in parliament.
CNRP officials meet to discuss the upcoming elections and opposition strategy at the party headquarters in Phnom Penh.(Source: Phnompenhpost.com)
Phnom Penh (VNA) – All lawmakers of the oppositionCambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) boycotted the session of the NationalAssembly of Cambodia in Phnom Penh on January 31 in protest against theamendment to its rules to scrap the status of "minority leader" inparliament.
The irregular meeting was chaired by NA Chairman Samdech Heng Samrin andattended by 67 lawmakers of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
With 67 approval votes, the Cambodian NA ratified the amendment to the Article48 of its internal rules to scrap the minority leader position.
With the new regulations, Acting President of CNRP Kem Sokhawas removed from the position of "minority leader" in parliament.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said dialogues will beremained with the opposition party via the NA Standing Committee, adding thathe plans to rewrite the law on political parties, stipulating that those whocommit crimes are not eligible to be President of a political party.
On December 7, 2016, the acting leader of the opposition party of Cambodia KemSokha returned to attend the National Assembly's plenary session as theparliament’s minority leader after one year of absence when he was removed fromhis position as the First Vice President of the NA of Cambodia in late October2015.
The National Assembly's plenary session was chaired by President Samdech HengSamrin, with the participation of 65 legislators of the ruling CambodiaPeople’s Party (CPP) and 39 others from the opposition Cambodia National RescueParty (CNRP).
The Parliament of Cambodia consists 123 seats, of which the CPP holds 68 whilethe CNPR holds 55 seats.-VNA
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CNRP officials meet to discuss the upcoming elections and opposition strategy at the party headquarters in Phnom Penh.(Source: Phnompenhpost.com) 
