9. King's Succession

Hun Sen vows to block new law on King's succession - The Straits Times, July 28, 2002
Prince Ranariddh backs Prince Sihamoni as successor to throne - Kyodo News Service, July 8, 2002Prince Norodom Ranariddh said Monday he will support his half-brother Prince Sihamoni as the successor to King Norodom Sihanouk, 79....In the long-standing succession issue, candidates who have been named are Prince Sihamoni, currently ambassador to UNESCO, Prince Ranariddh, head of the FUNCINPEC party and president of the National Assembly, Queen Monineath Sihanouk and Prince Sirivudh, the half-brother of the king....Constitutionally, the king of Cambodia must be at least 30 and a member of the royal family and descended from King Ang Duong, King Norodom or King Sisowath, and should be a man. But government officials have hinted at possible amendments to the Constitution because of Queen Monineath's gender and the fact that she is not from the royal family. According to the Constitution, the new king shall be chosen by the Royal Council of the Throne within seven days after the death of a king. The council consists of nine members -- the presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate, the prime minister, leaders of the country's two largest religious sects and the first and second vice presidents of the two chambers.