June election thread

[This Charming Man]

The CD today reported that the King has caused ripples by issuing a letter encouraging people to go out and vote for whoever they want in June, without fear, in a move that is seen as 'wading in' to the election.

Given it's importance, it might be useful to have a June election thread.

This election will be viewed by all sides - and observers - as a straw test to what might happen in 2018, so it's much much more than about local politics. Could this be the beginning of the end for the big guy, and if results don't go the way he wants in June, how will he respond?


https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/king ... te-126805/

[phat kunthea]

I have never once praise the Khmer monarch nor the current ruling party. If he is sincere about it then

[DF]

Better hope he wins or I sincerely believe there will be a military coup. Assumption based on the military having the power to do as they please and not wishing to loose it, even if HE looses it.

[What Your Name?]

There was a reasoned discussion recently about transition of power based on events in Gambia, where the defeated leader refused to forgo his position.
The upshot was that there needed to be a pre-election plan in place for a smooth transition, if the long standing leader's party was defeated. Would that work here? I'm not so sure about that.

[kansaicanuck]

Better hope he wins or I sincerely believe there will be a military coup. Assumption based on the military having the power to do as they please and not wishing to loose it, even if HE looses it.

History repeating itself? Possibly. HE has lost an election before and a coup d'état followed shortly after. I am not sure if he were to legitimately lose in the next election that a coup d'état would work in his favour again as it did before. Its a different time and a very different country in many ways.

[Abou-Gor]

The CD today reported that the King has caused ripples by issuing a letter encouraging people to go out and vote for whoever they want in June, without fear, in a move that is seen as 'wading in' to the election.

Given it's importance, it might be useful to have a June election thread.

This election will be viewed by all sides - and observers - as a straw test to what might happen in 2018, so it's much much more than about local politics. Could this be the beginning of the end for the big guy, and if results don't go the way he wants in June, how will he respond?


https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/king ... te-126805/

the international business community,the US and a fair few expats have given him the thumbs up. he's warned you what will happen already. only the above can stop him now, and they don't seem to be too bothered as long as the cash keeps coming in.

[DF]

Better hope he wis thatns or I sincerely believe there will be a military coup. Assumption based power to do as they please and not wishing to loose it, even if HE looses it.

History repeating itself? Possibly. HE has lost an election before and a coup d'état followed shortly after. I am not sure if he were to legitimately lose in the next election that a coup d'état would work in his favour again as it did before. Its a different time and a very different country in many ways.

It certainly is a different time, but the problem is that even if the vote goes against him, a weak newly elected party would have a problem trying to get the military to stand to attention once they've been stripped of all their fringe benefits.

[DF]

If there was a sweepstake then I would probably put my money on no change.

[Lucky Lucan]

Better hope he wins or I sincerely believe there will be a military coup. Assumption based on the military having the power to do as they please and not wishing to loose it, even if HE looses it.

History repeating itself? Possibly. HE has lost an election before and a coup d'état followed shortly after. I am not sure if he were to legitimately lose in the next election that a coup d'état would work in his favour again as it did before. Its a different time and a very different country in many ways.

The CPP lost the 1993 election, and soon after went into a power-sharing arrangement with FUNCINPEC. There was no coup d'etat shortly afterwards, there was an aborted attempt at seccesion of 6 eastern provinces by Sin Song and Prince Chakrapong who had defected from FUNCINPEC to the CPP the year before.. It was Sihanouks idea as head of state to go into the power-sharing arrangement.
Anyway, 'the elections in June are commune elections, these are generally much more relaxed affairs than the general elections.

[DF]

Depends what you consider to be relaxed. I personally don't consider the ruling party's behaviour as very relaxed this past 12 months. Beating up opposition parliamentarians, incarcerating opposition activists on purported trumped up charges, purported assasinations, stripping of opposion parliamentarian rights to be in the opposition etc etc. Enlighten me on how much worse the actual election is compared to local commune elections.

[YaTingPom]

Better hope he wins or I sincerely believe there will be a military coup. Assumption based on the military having the power to do as they please and not wishing to loose it, even if HE looses it.

"Loses it"

Better the devil you know.

[DF]

Better hope he wins or I sincerely believe there will be a military coup. Assumption based on the military having the power to do as they please and not wishing to loose it, even if HE looses it.[/quote]
"Loses it"

I had noticed, but thanks anyway. You obviously have no papers to mark at the moment.

When you start getting on a bit, the keyboard gets smaller, and ones fingers get fatter.

Better the devil you know.[/quote]

[Abou-Gor]

Better hope he wins or I sincerely believe there will be a military coup. Assumption based on the military having the power to do as they please and not wishing to loose it, even if HE looses it.

"Loses it"

I had noticed, but thanks anyway. You obviously have no papers to mark at the moment.

When you start getting on a bit, the keyboard gets smaller, and ones fingers get fatter.

Better the devil you know.[/quote][/quote]

i doubt it will come to a coup unless he fails to control it. he will direct all the carnage himself with Rany, the boys and 400,000 generals lending a hand. expect grenades and gas and live ammunition. perhaps the odd tank and fire truck too. a few missiles may be shot from helicopters and the Chinese may well lend a covert hand that will be discussed for years to come..
the thing that worries me about the big election is that they will be targeting foreigners because of the reputation they have for exploiting the country. take that one up with rob n scooby.

the commune elections could well turn violent depending on what the army have been directed to do.

i perceive so much animosity amongst different groups in Cambodia, it could all go pear shaped super fast.

[Lucky Lucan]

the thing that worries me about the big election is that they will be targeting foreigners because of the reputation they have for exploiting the country. take that one up with rob n scooby.

The only reason they might target foreigners is because of the incessant disdain shown by many of them to Cambodia, its people and its institutions.
Try looking in a mirror sometime.