Funcinpec officials on Monday announced a new plan that would appoint a neutral prime minister as head of the new government.
The proposal, which was formulated to defuse a potential political deadlock, would also see the appointment of three deputy prime ministers, one from each of the main political parties, the CPP, Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party, said Funcinpec spokesman Kassie Neou.
“This is an option to work out the crisis,” he told reporters at Funcinpec headquarters after a meeting of the party’s steering committee. “We are glad to support any idea of forming a national union and salvation government.”
Kassie Neou said that under the plan, Prime Minister Hun Sen could become one of the three deputy prime ministers. He declined to say who would fill the other government positions.
The announcement came as Funcinpec and Sam Rainsy Party leaders signed an agreement to form an alliance, reaffirming they will not join a coalition government with the CPP as long as Hun Sen remains prime minister.
Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Ung Bun-Ang said his party would consider the proposal. Leaders from the two parties were discussing the matter late Monday, he added.
“Any idea at the moment is a good idea,” Ung Bun-Ang said. “We encourage any ideas that would avoid a deadlock.”
Last week, the Sam Rainsy Party presented its own proposal for a new government, which included replacing Hun Sen with CPP President Chea Sim. Funcinpec officials on Monday did not rule out that proposal.
Funcinpec Secretary-General Prince Norodom Sirivudh said that party President Prince Norodom Ranariddh was willing to meet with Chea Sim to work out a solution for forming the new government.
Meanwhile, Kassie Neou said Funcinpec is preparing to file complaints against the NEC to the Constitutional Council for allegedly deviating from its mandate to be neutral and unbiased.
