Cambodian National Rescue Party

political party, Cambodia

Also known as: CNRP

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July 20, 2026

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The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) was a significant political party in Cambodia, formed in 2012 through the merger of the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the Human Rights Party. It emerged as the main opposition to the long-dominant Cambodian People's Party (CPP). The CNRP aimed to provide a unified front against the CPP, which had held power for decades.

In the 2013 legislative elections, the CNRP secured a substantial number of seats, challenging the CPP's majority. However, the party rejected the election results due to alleged irregularities and boycotted the National Assembly, leading to protests. The CNRP faced a government crackdown in 2017, with its leaders accused of colluding with the United States to overthrow the government. Consequently, the Supreme Court dissolved the party in November 2017, removing its members from government positions and effectively eliminating the main opposition ahead of subsequent elections.12

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Cambodia
Tensions between the CPP and the opposition
…another party to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in advance of the 2013 legislative elections. Rainsy was again pardoned and returned to Cambodia to vigorously campaign just before polling took place. The CPP was able to secure only a basic majority of seats, and although the remainder were…
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…another party to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in advance of the 2013 legislative elections. Rainsy was again pardoned and returned to Cambodia to vigorously campaign just before polling took place. The CPP was able to secure only a basic majority of seats, and although the remainder were…
Read More

Hun Sen
Continued rule and governance challenges
…with the newly formed opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP)—created through the merger of the SRP and another party—gaining the remainder of the seats. The CNRP members protested the election’s outcome and boycotted the assembly, precipitating a constitutional crisis that was not resolved until mid-2014. Throughout that time Hun Sen…
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…with the newly formed opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP)—created through the merger of the SRP and another party—gaining the remainder of the seats. The CNRP members protested the election’s outcome and boycotted the assembly, precipitating a constitutional crisis that was not resolved until mid-2014. Throughout that time Hun Sen…
Read More