- Title: Cambodian parties begin election campaign amid crackdown
- Date: 20th May 2017
- Summary: SUPPORTERS DANCING SUPPORTERS DANCING IN FRONT OF THE STAGE KEM SOKHA AND PARTY SENIOR MEMBERS WAIVING THEIR CAPS ON STAGE
- Embargoed: 3rd June 2017 08:49
- Keywords: political parties crackdown Hun Sen election campaign
- Location: PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
- City: PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
- Country: Cambodia
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA0026HN6X51
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Cambodian parties on Saturday (May 20) launched campaigns for June 4 local elections against the backdrop of a political crackdown by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has vowed to stay on after more than three decades in power.
Hun Sen's main rival, opposition leader Kem Sokha, held a rally with tens of thousands of supporters in the capital, Phnom Penh.
His supporters flew flags from motorbikes, tuk tuks and trucks as they headed to other provinces to campaign.
The local elections next month could be a springboard for next year's general election.
Opponents accuse Hun Sen of stepping up political attacks ahead of the elections - stopping demonstrations, detaining activists and threatening journalists. Hun Sen has said that if his party doesn't win there could be civil war in the country devastated by the Khmer Rouge genocide in the 1970s. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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