Opposition leader Sam Rainsy renewed his call for a change in government leadership at a gathering Thursday at the Sunway Hotel to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords.
The opposition leader was joined by Funcinpec Secretary-General Prince Norodom Sirivudh. Civil servants and members of the two parties’ Alliance of Democrats also attended the event.
The two leaders repeated that they need to see an end to violence and intimidation against their supporters before they will begin negotiating with the CPP over the formation of a new government and National Assembly.
“We can form a new government this evening or tomorrow, but it would have no quality. That is why we delay to meet the CPP,” Prince Sirivudh said.
Despite winning the July national election with 73 seats in the Assembly, the CPP is nine seats short of forming a government alone.
Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party refuse to join a coalition with the CPP as long as Prime Minister Hun Sen remains premier. They also demand that all three parties be included in the new government.
Two Funcinpec officials on Wednesday predicted that the royalists may eventually have to give up some of its demands. But those comments were refuted by fellow party members on Thursday.
“That is the wrong information,” said Funcinpec spokesman Kassie Neou. “That is not from Funcinpec. That is from individuals in Funcinpec. It is not the party line.”
Co-Minister of Defense Prince Sisowath Sirirath added: “According to our leader, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, nobody should speak in that fashion.”
(Additional reporting by Wency Leung)