Cambodia's parliament holds 2nd plenary session amid continued opposition boycott

[geovalin]

The National Assembly of Cambodia began its 2nd plenary session of the 5th legislature on Tuesday after a three-month recess.

Sixty-four lawmakers of the Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party attended the session as all 55 lawmakers-elect of the main opposition party still continued boycotting the National Assembly.

At the opening session, a royal message from King Norodom Sihamoni was read and hailed the members of parliament for their tireless efforts in making laws and serving the people.

"I hope that the National Assembly, which represents the Cambodian people, will continue to settle challenges to ensure a solid society with peace, political stability, security, order, and sustainable development," the king said in the message.

During the recess period, parliamentarians took their times to visit their constituencies.

The country's main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party ( CNRP) has boycotted parliament since September last year after the official results of July's election handed victory to the Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party.

The CNRP is demanding either a probe into election irregularities or a re-election, along with deep electoral reform.

A CNRP lawmaker-elect Ho Vann reiterated Tuesday that the party 's lawmakers-elect will not join parliament until their demands are met.

However, Hun Sen has said that he will not call a re-election because it is unconstitutional.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/852028.shtml