Cambodia ruling party sweeps parliament after vote with no opposition

Cambodian leader Hun Sen has swept up all seats in parliament after holding an election with no opposition, as the country settles into one-party rule and a government that could face questions of legitimacy on the world stage.

The strongman has been in power for 33 years but the vote late last month was widely decried as a sham after a crackdown on the rival Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November.

A spokesman for the National Election Committee told AFP Wednesday as official results were released that the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won all 125 seats up for grabs and took nearly 77 percent of the vote.

Cambodia's new government will be formed next month but problems of credibility could trail the regime as experts believe Hun Sen will try to bolster popular support at home.

"It's like pushing a cart uphill," said independent political analyst Meas Ny. "From now on the new government will be under attack and defending itself."