Norodom Ranarite Party

In September 2006, under the pressure of Nhek Bun Chhai and his supporters , Prince Norodom Ranarit was removed from his post as chairman of FUNSINPEC , deprived of his deputy mandate and expelled from the party. Two months later, Ranarit supporters, united in the Khmer National Front Party ^[2] , adopted the name of the Norodom Ranarit Party and elected the prince as chairman ^[3] . The leadership of Ranarita Prince Norodom Chakrapong also joined the leadership of the new party.

The ideology of the party as a whole repeated the monarchical doctrine of FUNSINPEC. The main difference was the leadership role of Prince Ranarit. Significant emphasis was also placed on nationalist slogans, demands for Cambodia’s economic independence and the protection of monuments of Khmer history and culture (especially in terms of Phnom Penh's town-planning).

In addition, the party’s program put forward social demands - raising the minimum wage, improving the living conditions of the masses. There were also calls for political democratization, the rule of law and respect for human rights, and reform of the judicial system. “Rulers who think only of power and money” were criticized - within the meaning of this was the ruling People's Party (NPC) of Hun Sen.

In the 2008 National Assembly elections, the Norodom Ranarita Party appeared in an opposition alliance with the Sam Reinsy Party , FUNCINPEC and the Human Rights Party . Almost 338 thousand voters (5.7%) voted for Ranarit’s supporters, which turned out to be somewhat higher than the support of FUNCINPEC, but much lower than the figures of Rainsy himself . The party received 2 parliamentary mandates.

In October 2008, Norodom Ranarit, after corruption charges, once again expressed his intention to abandon political activities (he urged his supporters to support the Hong Sen government) ^[4] . The party leaders appealed to King Norodom Siamoni to pardon Ranarit ^[5] . The party adopted the name Nationalist . The leader of the party was Chhim Siyok Leng , formerly the first deputy of Ranarita ^[6] .

From the end of 2010, Norodom Ranarit returned to politics and again headed the party that restored the former name. Long negotiations began on the return of Ranarit to FUNCINPEC and the merger of two parties ^[7] .

In March 2014, Prince Ranarit founded the Society of the Royalist People’s Party , whose positions were perceived as “subservience to the ruling NPC” ^[8] . A month later, the Norodom Ranarita Party (Nationalist Party) was officially dissolved ^[9] . In January 2015, Norodom Ranarit regained his membership in FUNSINPEC and was elected chairman ^[10] .