Cambodia government, opposition 'close' to reaching agreement

By Robert Carmichael in Phnom Penh / ABC Network News | 9 April 2014

Photo: Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy says his party is close to reaching an agreement with the government. (AFP: Tang Chhin Sothy)

There are strong indications that the government and opposition of Cambodia are close to striking a deal that could end the country's eight-month political stalemate.

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) have been locked in a standoff since disputed elections in July last year.

The CNRP has so far refused to take its seats in parliament until Prime Minister Hun Sen agrees to a series of electoral reforms.

A series of discussions between the two sides on the issue have until also failed to make headway.

But it appears that recent closed-door meetings between representatives of both parties have resulted in near-agreement.

"Negotiations at the technical level have moved forward so we are coming close to an agreement," Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said on Tuesday.

"And that agreement will be endorsed by the top leaders of the two parties in the very near future. I think it is quite possible that such a meeting would take place this week."

Mr Rainsy says the agreement would include changes to Cambodia's National Election Committee, or NEC, the body that oversees elections.

The NEC's members have long been appointed by the ruling party. One of the opposition's key demands is for this arrangement to end.

Mr Rainsy says the proposed deal would see members appointed only by agreement of the two parties.

He adds that the deal would also bring forward the date of the next general election, which is currently scheduled for 2018.

However the revised date - assuming this does end up being agreed - has not yet been fixed.

'A step towards political compromise'

Ou Virak, a veteran human rights activist and political commentator, says reforming the electoral body is about legitimacy for the ruling party.

"If there's no confidence in the NEC, there's no confidence in the election process, then you will [be] bound to continue repeating the impasse after every election," he said.

"So I think that would be an incentive for the ruling party, if they feel that they can win fair and square in the coming election. Or they can win with other dirty tactics they can use but not controlling directly the NEC."

Besides, he adds, the government knows that at least half of the voting public are tired of the consequences of its rule: corruption, land grabbing, and impunity for the powerful, among a litany of woes. There are also few jobs available for new entrants to the workforce.

Ou Virak says that although the ruling party still controls the levers of power, it now needs to take into account the will of the people in a way it never had to before.

"So public opinion now matters more than ever before, and I think the ruling party is going to try to seek that. Basically this is an unknown, unfamiliar territory for the ruling party where they are forced to actually care about Cambodian public opinion."

Last July, the CNRP pulled off a stunning near-upset when it took nearly half the vote and 55 of parliament's 123 seats.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy claims that dirty tricks by the ruling CPP cost his party victory. He wants either an independent investigation into the poll or a fresh election.

Until agreement is reached, the CNRP's 55 lawmakers-elect are boycotting parliament.

Mr Rainsy says that although a deal has not yet been signed, agreement is close. Meanwhile, both sides will go through the draft with a fine-tooth comb.

He believes it's "too early" to say if this marks the end of Cambodia's political stalemate.

"But it is a step towards a political compromise and it will be a different chapter now - a new chapter in Cambodian politics."

As Cambodians look to celebrate their New Year next week, many will be hoping this impasse is finally over.