The Paris Peace Agreements, a comprehensive political settlement for the restoration of peace in Cambodia, were signed on October 23, 1991 by the four main Cambodian political parties, 19 countries, and the United Nations. Under the agreements, the United Nations was in charge of creating conditions for a long-lasting peace, laying the groundwork for a pluralistic democracy, rehabilitating the country's infrastructure, and repatriating over 300,000 Cambodian refugees and displaced persons. As a result of the accords, a U.N sponsored general election was held in May 1993 to elect members of a Constituent Assembly which was to draft a new constitution.

During its first plenary session on June 14, 1993, the Constituent Assembly elected a President, 2 Vice Presidents, working commissions, and a General Secretariat. In addition, the Constituent Assembly passed a resolution restoring Prince Norodom Sihanouk Varman as Head of State. A standing committee was formed by the Constituent Assembly on June 30, 1993 to prepare a draft of the new constitution. A draft constitution was debated by the Constituent Assembly beginning on September 15, 1993.

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia was adopted on September 21, 1993 and promulgated by the Head of State on September 24, 1993. Shortly after the promulgation of the Constitution, the country celebrated the coronation of His Majesty the King, Preah Bath Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Varman. Under the terms of the Paris Peace Agreements and under the terms of the transitional provisions of the new Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Constituent Assembly was transformed into the National Assembly upon the Constitution's promulgation.

The Constitution established the Kingdom of Cambodia as a constitutional monarchy based on the principles of liberal democracy and pluralism. The King serves as the Head of the State for life. The King reigns but does not govern, and is the symbol of the unity and continuity of the nation.

Under Article 51 of the Constitution of 1993, all powers belong to the citizens, with the citizens exercising those powers through the National Assembly, the Royal Government, and the Judiciary. The National Assembly holds legislative power. In addition to the general law-making power, the National Assembly has specific powers regarding the national budget, taxes, administrative accounts, laws on general amnesty, international treaties and conventions, declarations of war, and the formation of the Royal Government. The Royal Government, which must be approved by a vote of confidence of two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly, is composed of a Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister. Under the transitional provisions of the Constitution, there is a First and Second Prime Minister for the term of the first legislature. The National Assembly has formed a coalition government headed by His Royal Highness Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh as First Prime Minister, and His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen as Second Prime Minister.

It should be noted that after a political crisis in July 1997 followed by another political crisis after the July 1998 general election, under the high leadership His Majesty the King, Preah Bath Samdech Norodom Sihanouk Varman, and in the spirit of national reconciliation, a political solution has been settled on November 11, 1998.

Upon the settlement, the National Assembly has resumed its activities and elected His Royal Highness Prince Norodom Ranariddh as President of the National Assembly for its second Legislature. The essence of the political settlement includes the formation of a coalition government having Samdech Hun Sen as Prime Minister and the Amendment of the Constitution allowing creation of the Senate having Samdech Chea Sim as President.

Also, the political settlement is based on two fundamental agreements:

• A joint political platform which includes all issues raised by FUNCINPEC & SRP Parties;
• A Protocol between FUNCINPEC & CPP defines the power sharing between FUNCINPEC & CPP.