Original report from Phnom Penh
12 September 2008
The ruling Cambodian People's Party has mostly finalized a draft of its new administration, controlling as expected every ministerial position and giving only Funcinpec lower positions in the executive branch. 
Top leaders of the Cambodian People's Party, from left: National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Senate President Chea Sim and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Cheam Yiep, a CPP lawmaker and member of the party's standing committee, said Friday a July 29 draft of the administration passed the committee and will be formally approved just ahead of a swearing-in ceremony later this month.
The draft shows eight CPP positions at deputy prime minister and one for Funcinpec, and 12 CPP senior ministers, with four for Funcinpec.
No positions in the executive branch will be offered to the Sam Rainsy, Human Rights or Norodom Ranariddh Party, according to the draft.
The new administration shifts more control squarely into the hands of the CPP, a reflection of the party's overwhelming win in July's election, where it took 90 of 123 National Assembly seats.
The new administration will have a higher number of positions in each ministry, in part because positions such as secretary, undersecretary and advisor were offered to members of the Sam Rainsy Party who moved to the CPP ahead of the election.
"The members of the new government are experienced in their capacity and potential for push the government's work to success in the next five years," Cheam Yiep said.
The posts of secretary and undersecretary of state could change in a final decision to be made by the CPP Sept. 22, he said, two days before the National Assembly swears in and opens its first session.
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