King promulgates ‘dual citizen’ ban for top posts

King Norodom Sihamoni has promulgated the amendments to several articles of the Constitution that mandate single Cambodian citizenship for holders of the nation’s top four national institutions. ROYAL DU CAMBODGE

King Norodom Sihamoni has promulgated the amendments to several articles of the Constitution that mandate single Cambodian citizenship for holders of the nation’s top four national institutions.

According to a royal decree signed by the King on November 3 and made public the next day, the amendments are now in force as the ultimate law of the land for the nation.

The amendments – which ban dual citizenship for the prime minister and presidents of the National Assembly (NA), Senate and Constitutional Council – were fast-tracked with draft versions passed by the Council of Ministers on October 8. The amendments were then unanimously approved by the NA and Senate on October 25 and November 2, respectively.

“The president of the National Assembly shall be elected from among its members who have only one Cambodian nationality,” states a section of the amended article 82.

Likewise, article 119 now states: “Following the request from the president of the NA and with the approval of its two vice-presidents, the King shall appoint a dignitary from among the NA members of the party with the most seats in the NA as prime minister and he/she shall then form a government.

“The dignitary appointed as prime minister must be a member of parliament who only possesses single Cambodian nationality,” the amended article states.

Following the promulgation, Prime Minister Hun Sen took to Facebook to celebrate the news.

“The amendment to articles 19, 82, 106, 119 and 137 of the Constitution as well as articles 3 and 4 of the Additional Constitutional Law tending to ensure the regular functioning of national institutions … have been signed by the King and will be the law in force from November 3 onwards.”

Contact author: Voun Dara

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