The prince who traded a throne for a fragile coalition

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the 1990s, Cambodia's transition from war to monarchy hinged on a volatile power-sharing agreement. Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the son of King Sihanouk, became the nation's first prime minister under a deal that pitted royalist ambitions against a rising communist power, eventually ending in a violent coup.

Following the 1993 general elections, Ranariddh's royalist party, FUNCINPEC, emerged victorious. However, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), led by Hun Sen, refused to cede power. Under pressure from international powers, a coalition government was established. This arrangement saw Ranariddh serve as the First Prime Minister while Hun Sen served as the Second Prime Minister, a dual-leadership structure intended to balance the country's fractured political landscape. This new constitutional framework officially restored the monarchy to the nation. During his tenure, Ranariddh actively promoted Cambodian business interests to regional leaders. He also founded the Cambodian Development Council to facilitate economic growth.

The partnership was plagued by instability from the start. By 1996, relations between the two leaders deteriorated sharply over the distribution of government authority. Public disputes erupted regarding construction projects, property development contracts, and even rival alliances with the Khmer Rouge. These tensions culminated in July 1997, when major clashes broke out between troops aligned with FUNCINPEC and the CPP, forcing Ranariddh into exile. The two men frequently engaged in public arguments over specific government policies. These disagreements often centered on the signing of various property development contracts. The friction between the royalists and the CPP created a deeply fractured political environment.

In August 1997, Hun Sen staged a coup d'état, ousting Ranariddh from the premiership. Despite a conviction for trying to topple the state during a trial in absentia, Ranariddh received a final pardon. He returned in 1998 to serve as President of the National Assembly. While once considered a potential successor to his father as King, Ranariddh renounced his interest in the throne in 2001, eventually serving on the council that selected King Norodom Sihamoni in 2004. Ranariddh initially contested the results of the 1998 general election before accepting his new role. He served as the president of the National Assembly from 1998 until 2006. He was one of nine members on the council that chose the new monarch.

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