With hopes still dim for a speedy end to the country’s months-long political deadlock, opposition parliamentarian Son Chhay called on the National Assembly and Senate to end their partisan bias and contribute to the debate on the formation of a new government.
Son Chhay said on Monday that both houses of parliament should use provisions afforded by the Constitution to help break the political deadlock.
Article 116 of the Constitution states that, when necessary, the Assembly and Senate can hold a joint congress to solve major problems faced by the country, Son Chhay said. “At such a congress, all the major problems confronted by the country, including the political deadlock, could be resolved,” he said.
As the Assembly has no leadership, the Senate could lead the meeting, said Son Chhay, adding that he will write to the Constitutional Council with the proposal.
However, Constitutional Council Director Bin Chhin said such a proposal was impossible.
No law exists empowering such a congress, said Bin Chhin, and “the National Assembly does not have a complete head or tail.”
Son Chhay said that the Constitutional Council could argue the necessity for such a congress given the gravity of the political situation.
“They have the right to interpret the law,” Son Chhay said.
Chea Vannath, director of the Center for Social Development, praised the initiative on Monday, but doubted the Senate, which is generally perceived as a powerless and weak body, would be able to lead such a congress.
“Technically speaking, there is no problem” in Cambodia’s political process, Chea Vannath said. But it all depends on the willingness of the three parties to resolve the deadlock, she added.
