When the monarchy was restored in 1993, his political party won the elections and he became Prime Minister, jointly with his father's rival Hun Sen who had lost the 1993 elections but wanted to hang onto power.
When the monarchy was restored in 1993, his political party won the elections, the first free elections since 1972. He became Prime Minister, but had to serve jointly with his father's rival Hun Sen who had lost the 1993 elections but wanted to hang onto power.