Constitution

Cambodia 1993 Constitution (reviewed 2008)

Table of Contents

Chapter X. The Royal Government

Article 118

The Council of Ministers is the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The Council of Ministers shall be led by one Prime Minister assisted by Deputy Prime Ministers, and by Senior Ministers, Ministers and Secretaries of State as members.

Article 119

Upon the request of the President and with the agreement of both Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly, the King shall designate a dignitary among the Members of the National Assembly of the party holding the largest number of seats in the National Assembly to form the Royal Government. This dignitary and Members of the National Assembly and members of political parties represented in the National Assembly who are proposed for positions within the Royal Government present themselves to the National Assembly to ask for a vote of confidence.

After the National Assembly passes a vote of confidence in the proposed Royal Government, the King shall issue a Royal decree appointing the entire Council of Ministers.

Before taking office, the Council of Ministers shall take the Oath of Allegiance stipulated in Annex 6.

Article 120

Membership of the Royal Government is incompatible with professional activities in trade or industry and with the holding of any position in the public service.

Article 121

Members of the Royal Government shall be collectively responsible to the National Assembly for the overall policy of the Royal Government.

Each member of the Royal Government shall be individually responsible to the Prime Minister and the National Assembly for his/her own conduct.

Article 122

Members of the Royal Government shall not use the orders, written or oral, of anyone as grounds to exonerate themselves from their responsibility.

Article 123

The Council of Ministers shall meet every week in plenary session or in a working session.

The Prime Minister shall chair the plenary sessions.

The Prime Minister may assign a Deputy Prime Minister to preside over the working sessions.

Minutes of the Council of Ministers’ sessions shall be delivered to the King for His information.

Article 124

The Prime Minister shall have the rights to delegate his powers to a Deputy Prime Minister or to any member of the Royal Government.

Article 125

If the post of Prime Minister is permanently vacant, a new Council of Ministers shall be appointed under the procedure stipulated in this Constitution. If the vacancy is temporary, an acting Prime Minister shall be provisionally appointed.

Article 126

Any Member of the Royal Government shall be punished for any felonies or misdemeanors that he/she commits while performing his/her duty.

In such cases and when he/she has made serious mistakes while performing his/her duty, the National Assembly may decide to file charges against him/her in a competent court.

The National Assembly shall decide on such matters in a secret vote by an absolute majority of all Members of the National Assembly.

Article 127

The organization and functioning of the Council of Ministers shall be determined by law.