Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed his intention to hand over his post to a younger candidate and end the longest tenure of any sitting prime minister, Cambodian newspaper Khmer Times reported.
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Hun Sen said the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) is well prepared for a change of leadership during the next elections.
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“We have found potential young successors and it is better for us to pass the baton and just stay with them for support. I was told that I would live to be 93 years old. If so, then I have 22 years left, but no one can hold the post until death.” added the Prime Minister.
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Hun Sen celebrated his 38th birthday in office in January 2023. He first took office as prime minister on January 14, 1985, after the National Assembly unanimously elected Chang Xi as his successor, who died in office in December 1984. Then Hun Sen became the youngest prime minister in the world at the age of 32. After the death of Bahraini Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on November 11, 2020, it was Hun Sen who became the record holder among current prime ministers for the length of time in office.
Earlier, Cambodia’s premier said his party was already “lined up” with young people to be appointed to ministerial posts to replace high-ranking officials over the age of 60.
