"Cambodian leader's party claims election win; Prime minister's popularity fueled by nationalism" by Ker Munthit, Associated Press | July 28, 2008
PHNOM PENH - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party said it had sealed a landslide victory in parliamentary elections yesterday that were expected to usher in a new term for the former Khmer Rouge soldier who has ruled for 23 years.
Hun Sen's popularity at the polls was buoyed by a surge of nationalism amid a tense border dispute with neighboring Thailand. He was expected to win the vote even before the military standoff escalated earlier this month. But patriotic passions over Preah Vihear temple and Hun Sen's firm stance against Thailand have swayed many undecided voters in his favor, analysts say.
"Everybody now supports the government because this is a national issue," said Kek Galabru, a prominent Cambodian human rights activist and election monitor. "More people will vote for [Hun Sen] to give him more power to deal with Preah Vihear."
As used to work with some Cambodians, and they told me Hun Sen was the guy.
I had asked about it after the abdication of the Cambodian king.
