Funcinpec’s secretary-general Nhiek Bunh Chhay, left, standing along side with Prince Norodom Ranariddh. Photo: by Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Kong Sothanarith
VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Officials from two royalist parties that suffered major defeats in
local elections last month said Tuesday they would be unable to merge
into one ahead of next year’s general elections.
Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who heads his self-named party, blamed the
failure on Funcinpec’s leadership, which he described to reporters as
“responsible for this new fragmentation.”
Funcinpec’s secretary-general, Nhiek Bunh Chhay, said in a phone
interview his party would not join in a royalist coalition because
Norodom Ranariddh wants to join together with the opposition. “Funcinpec
is in the government,” he said.
Both parties have seen waning popularity in recent elections, following the ouster of Norodom Ranariddh from Funcinpec in 2006.
The parties announced in May their plans for unification ahead of
parliamentary elections next year, in hopes of strengthening their
positions. Each has just two seats in the National Assembly. Party
leaders thanked Prime Minister Hun Sen for his role in bringing them
together.
Nhiek Bun Chhay called Ranariddh’s decision not to join in a
coalition “regrettable,” but he said his party remains open to an
alliance. “The fusion depends on both parties,” he said.
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