Cambodia ex-PM Hun Sen returns to frontline politics for senate seat

Member of parliament and Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen shows his inked finger after voting at a polling station during the Senate election in Takhmao city, Kandal province on February 25.//AFP

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia’s ruling party claimed a landslide victory in Senate elections on Sunday, setting the stage for ex-PM Hun Sen to officially return to politics after he stepped down last year.

After nearly four decades of hardline rule, Hun Sen handed power to his eldest son Hun Manet after national polls last July held without any significant opposition.

Hun Sen at the time made it clear that despite his resignation, he still intended to wield influence.

After polls closed Sunday afternoon, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) claimed they had swept the Senate, the country’s upper house.

Spokesman Sok Eysan said early results showed the “CPP won…