Opposition’s alliance move at the crossroad
samlot chit
Opposition’s alliance move at the crossroad
The initiative to form an alliance among minor political parties before next year’s National Election to challenge the mammoth ruling party – Cambodian People’s Party – still remains in the air as opposition party officials are struggling to be united.
The glitch in the hope of creating a viable alliance stems with one party wishing to lead the others while some are reluctant to be subordinate to another party.
The alliance was initiated by the Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP) but the Candlelight Party (CP), who won more than 2,000 commune council seats in the June 5 commune election, has offered to spearhead the alliance, but GDP is reluctant to be subservient.
Thach Setha, vice-president of the CP, said yesterday that CP has not discussed in detail the 2023 alliance with other parties as it was busy strengthening and restructuring the party at the grassroots level.
He said the CP, however, welcomes all patriots, democrats and those who wish to join the CP and that it does not discriminate against anyone.
“We welcome and open to all parties who want to engage in politics with the CP to jointly form a major solidarity of political movement in the 2023 national election.
“This means that we strive to engage with other parties and we will divide our strengths and struggles according to the actual situation and satisfaction of one another,” Setha said.
Sam Inn, secretary-general of GDP, said that GDP has issued invitations to nearly 30 political parties, but the parties have yet to officially respond “because one of them claimed that they are busy restructuring the party and some others are busy obtaining feedback from their party members”.
He added that the alliance initiative could be time-consuming.
If an alliance is formed, Inn said discussions will be held on which party will contest which constituency.
Inn said parties interested in forming an alliance should to meet and discuss the way forward.
“GDP do not want to be under a one-party name, and parties in the alliance ideally would be designated the constituencies for them to contest.
“If other parties want to join the CP, it is their right and freedom to do so and GDP will meet with the CP to discuss our option,” Inn added.
Kong Monika, president of the Khmer Will Party (KWP), said KWP is discussing it with party councils and members to identify key points for discussion in moving the initiative forward.
Monika said that according to the majority of his party, they wanted to set the CP as the main support, meaning that they want to be under the banner of the CP to unite with other parties to compete with the ruling party.
“We are also waiting for the green light from CP so that we can meet to discuss key points and policies to contest the 2023 national election. So far, I have not heard from CP and I am also ready to meet with other parties,” Monika added.
Ou Chanrath, vice-president of Cambodian Reform Party (CRP), said he has yet to hear of other parties’ responses to the proposed alliance.
“CRP wants to meet with other interested parties as soon as possible,” he said.
He did not object to contesting under the CP banner, but stressed that all parties must first set a clear principle, plan and objectives to avoid divisions in the future.
“We clearly understand the intentions of other parties that want to contest under the banner of CP, but CP has not expressed its willingness to give the green light to other parties to join the 2023 Alliance. We have seen some reaction from CP activists expressing dissatisfaction with this alliance,” Chanrath added.
Sam Kuntheamy, executive director of Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections, described the alliance of minor political parties as a good move, “but I do not know the scenario and policies of the parties for the alliance”.
He said he also supported the idea of parties that want to contest under the banner of the CP because it is the most popular party among the opposition parties, but the CP has not given the green light to smaller parties to be under its banner.
“I think all minor parties should unite to join hands with the CP, because it is of the strongest position, has adequate organisational structure, and plenty of human resources. It is popular among the people. So it’s good for them to unite, but we do not know what is on the CP’s mind,” Kuntheamy added.