During 1954 the Party moved leftwards, under the influence of Paris-educated political radicals led by Keng Vannsak; Prince Norodom Phurissara became its secretary-general [REF].
In 1955 King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated and set up his own anti-communist political movement, the Sangkum, in order to participate in the 1955 general elections; some prominent Democrats (such as Penn Nouth) left the party and joined Sihanouk [REF].