Cambodia’s ruling party once again waltzed to a lopsided victory in local elections this month, winning more than 99 per cent of open commune chief seats amid allegations of irregularities. That wasn’t a surprise: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ruled the country for nearly 40 years, and in 2017, a political crackdown on the opposition turned Cambodia into a de facto one-party state.

With elections meaningless, all eyes are on Hun Sen’s oldest son, Hun Manet. The 44-year-old has been groomed to succeed his father; he currently commands the Cambodian army. At its party congress last December, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) formally anointed Hun Manet as its next candidate for prime minister when Hun Sen decides to step down. But the 69-year-old autocrat has approached his final political challenge – cementing his dynasty – with caution.

Foreign Policy