page_title: Cambodia Constituent Assembly
section_title: Ratification
hierarchical_section_title: Cambodia Constituent Assembly / Ratification
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Norodom Sihamoni, roi du Cambodge et Norodom Monineath, sa mère, dernière épouse de Norodom Sihanouk English: King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia and Queen Norodom Monineath, his mother, the last wife of the late King Norodom Sihanouk
context_page_description: The Cambodian Constituent Assembly was a body elected in 1993 to draft a constitution for Cambodia as provided in the Paris Peace Accord. The writing of the Cambodian Constitution took place between June and September 1993 and it resulted in the transformation of the political situation of Cambodia from civil-war-marred, autocratic oligarchy to a Constitutional Monarchy. Achieved under the guidance, auspices and funding of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, the drafting of the constitution was the culmination of a larger, $1.6 billion effort to end the decades-old Cambodian Civil War and bring the warring parties into political, rather than military competition. The result of the process was the creation of a constitution for Cambodia that, at least on paper, guarantees free political competition, regular elections, equal rights and representation and universal suffrage.
context_section_description: Five days of open discussion were held in September regarding the draft constitution. The discussions, finally held in the full Constituent Assembly, were followed widely and closely by a populace watching on televisions and listening on radios. Delegates to the Assembly agreed quite easily on the fundamental notion of a Constitutional Monarchy, but were in less agreement regarding some details. There was strong disagreement over whether to require a two-thirds majority for all legislation. The CPP was strongly in favor, as such a provision would guarantee them a continued stranglehold over Cambodian politics despite their electoral minority. Despite strong FUNCINPEC resistance, the CPP succeeded in maintaining the two-thirds threshold.
caption: Monineath Sihanouk, Queen Dowager of Cambodia
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