Governments / Countries / Cambodia
How is Cambodia governed?
Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy. Its head of state is the king (chosen by the royal council of the throne) and its head of government is the prime minister. Real power sits with the prime minister.
Questions people ask
- Is Cambodia a monarchy or a republic?
- Cambodia is a monarchy: a constitutional monarchy. King: Norodom Sihamoni.
- Who really rules Cambodia?
- The prime minister holds the real executive power. Head of state: King (chosen by the Royal Council of the Throne). Head of government: Prime Minister.
- How is the head of state of Cambodia chosen?
- Elected from within a closed group.
- Does Cambodia have a king?
- It has a monarch: King Norodom Sihamoni, on the throne since 2004. Succession: elective (Royal Council of the Throne).
- Is Cambodia a federation?
- No. It is a centralised unitary state.
- How many chambers does the parliament of Cambodia have?
- Two chambers: National Assembly (125 seats) and Senate.
- Has Cambodia ever been a republic?
- Yes: 1970 to 1975.
Parliament: National Assembly + Senate
Cambodia's legislature has two chambers, 125 seats in all. Each dot is one seat; party seat counts are on IPU Parline.
Seat total varies or is not fixed
Regime history
One label per period, on Cambodia's present-day identity.
18632026
| Years | Regime | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1863–1953 | Colony, protectorate or mandate | French protectorate source |
| 1953–1970 | Constitutional monarchy | Kingdom of Cambodia source |
| 1970–1975 | Republic | Khmer Republic source |
| 1975–1979 | One-party state | Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge) source |
| 1979–1993 | One-party state | People's Republic of Kampuchea / State of Cambodia source |
| 1993–today | Constitutional monarchy | Kingdom of Cambodia (monarchy restored 24 Sep 1993) source |