The prime minister of Cambodia (Khmer: នាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី, UNGEGN: Néayôk Rôdthâmôntrei, pronounced [niəjuək rɔəttʰamɔntrəj]; literally 'chief minister') is the head of government of Cambodia. The prime minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet and leads the executive branch of the Royal Government of Cambodia. The prime minister is a member of parliament, and is appointed by the monarch for a term of five years. Since 1945, 37 individuals have served as prime minister; 33 as official prime ministers, and 4 in acting capacities. The current prime minister since 2023 is Hun Manet.
The position was first held by King Norodom Sihanouk in March 1945, during the French colonial administration. On 13 March 1945, Sihanouk collaborated with Imperial Japan and declared Cambodia's independence from France. On 18 March, he proclaimed himself prime minister and formed the first government which lasted until August 1945. He was succeeded by Son Ngoc Thanh until October 1945. Following the surrender of Japan, the French administration returned, ending the Japanese occupation.
In 1946, France introduced reforms into its colonies in Indochina, and allowed for the first time political parties and parliamentary elections. Cambodia's first parliamentary elections were held on 1 September 1946. The Democratic Party remained the dominant-party in Cambodian politics throughout the 1940s until the formation of the Sangkum in 1955. Sangkum was the only legal party in Cambodia from 1955 to 1970 until a military coup by Marshal Lon Nol.
In 1993, constitutional monarchy was restored in Cambodia. The role of the prime minister was officially recognised in the constitution. Prince Norodom Ranariddh was considered the first democratically elected prime minister in a United Nations sponsored election. The CPP–FUNCINPEC coalition agreement of 1993 marked a brief period in Cambodia where Hun Sen and Prince Norodom Ranariddh were coequal Prime Ministers. In 1997, Hun Sen staged a coup that removed Ranariddh from office. The National Assembly voted to confirm Ung Huot to complete the remainder of Ranariddh's term. The 1998 election and every election since has been dominated by Hun Sen and the CPP. Unlike most parliamentary democracies, the prime minister serves a fixed five-year term in office, and does not have the power to call a snap election nor dissolve parliament prematurely.
The prime minister is required to be a member of parliament. He first needs to be elected by a majority of parliament before a swearing-in ceremony can take place. The inauguration of the prime minister takes place at the Royal Palace. The prime minister-designate takes an oath of office in front of the monarch and the two heads of the Thammayut and Mohanikay order. A cabinet will then be unveiled. The formation of a new government takes place no more than 60 days after the election, as defined in the constitution. The prime minister is assisted by deputy prime ministers.
Article 125 of the Constitution states that should the prime minister resign or die in office, an acting prime minister is appointed. In July 2022, the constitution was amended to eliminate the required majority vote in parliament to elect the prime minister.
The Peace Palace serves as the principal workplace of the prime minister. It was inaugurated on 19 October 2010 by the King. However, the prime minister resides at his own private residence.
The powers of the prime minister are established by the current Constitution of Cambodia, adopted on 24 September 1993 and amended on 4 March 1999. They are defined by the following articles of the Constitution:
Article 11: If the King can not perform its normal functions of head of state because of a serious illness certified by a group of medical experts appointed by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Prime Minister, the President of the Senate shall serve as head of state in place of King as Regent.
Article 13: Within seven days at most – after the vacancy of the throne – the new King of Cambodia is selected by the Throne Council. Council members include the following:
The leaders of two religious orders, Thammayut and Mohanikay
First and second vice president of the Senate
First and second vice president of the Assembly.
Article 19: The King appoints the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers as provided for in section 119.
Article 20: The King receives the Prime Minister and the Cabinet in official audience twice a month to inquire about the situation of the country.
Article 22: When the nation is in danger, the King publicly declared state of emergency with the approval of the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly and the Senate President.
Article 78: .... The National Assembly may be dissolved before the end of its term except when the royal government was overthrown twice during a twelve-month period. In this case, the King shall, upon proposal of the Prime Minister and with the consent of the President of the National Assembly, dissolved the National Assembly. ...
Article 83: ... Each session of the National Assembly last at least three months. At the request of the King or the Prime Minister's or a third of the members of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the Assembly shall convene the National Assembly for a special session. ...