Ranariddh Endorses Abdication Amendment

National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh on Saturday endorsed a proposal for a constitutional amendment that would allow his father, King Norodom Sihanouk, to abdicate the throne.

Handwritten in the margins of a proposal from opposition lawmaker Son Chhay, the prince requested that Son Chhay submit a draft of the amendment for National Assembly approval.

Assembly Secretary-General Kim San on Sunday confirmed Prince Ranariddh supported the proposal. Son Chhay, who met with the price on Saturday, said he plans to request changes only to the wording of some articles to provide for the possibility of the King’s abdication. Cur­rently, the Constitution only outlines protocol in the case of the King’s death.

“If we can amend the Con­stitution, we will avoid the crisis of the monarchy,” Son Chhay said Sunday. He added that the King’s respon­sibilities as head of RCAF and the Council of Magistracy should go to the prime minister in the event of his abdication. The position of acting head of state should remain the role of the Senate president, he said.

The King, who has often threatened to step down from the throne, has repeated such threats with greater frequency in recent months. He has said he wishes to abdicate due to his age. He  is 81.

CPP spokesman Khieu Kanha­rith dismissed the opposition party’s proposal to change the Constitution, saying it would allow politicians to pressure the King to abdicate.

“If there is an amendment to allow the King to abdicate, then the [next] King will be the politicians’ puppet,” Khieu Kanharith said.

 

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