Global Courant 2023-05-18 17:04:24
The reformist leader of the party that won Thailand’s elections by a landslide has announced that eight parties have agreed to form a coalition government with him as prime minister.
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said at a press conference on Thursday that the proposed coalition would win 313 seats in the House of Representatives, a solid majority out of 500 members.
“The core message of today’s press conference is to reassure the public that my coalition is firmly taking shape,” said Pita, a Harvard-educated businessman. “There is momentum, there is progress and we also have a very clear road map from today to the day I become Prime Minister.”
Despite the overwhelming support, there are fears among coalition supporters that Pita’s military-affiliated opponents will use the unelected Senate to remove him from office.
Thailand’s constitution, drafted under military rule after a 2014 coup, requires the lower house and the 250-seat senate to vote together to elect a new prime minister. All senators were appointed by the generals who came to power after the coup.
Due to the joint vote, it is not certain that Sunday’s election winner will take power.
The alliance added two more members and three seats on Thursday, but it still appears to lack the 376 votes needed from the 750-member bicameral legislature to vote in a prime minister to form a government.
Young voters in particular were drawn to Move Forward’s policies, including a proposed amendment to Thailand’s harsh lèse-majesté law, which makes criticism of the monarchy punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
About 200 people have been charged in recent years, many from a youth-led protest movement.
Critics said the law is often misused to punish government critics. Conservatives who view the royal institution as sacred strongly oppose any change.
Pita, 42, was dealt a blow on Wednesday when the third-placed Bhumjaithai Party – a potential game-changer with its 70 seats – said it could not support any prime minister who wants to amend or abolish a law against offending the powerful supports. monarchy.
When asked about Bhumjaithai’s statement, Pita said, “That is their business. The eight parties have a position and clarity.”
Coup-tired audience
Pita said his plans to take office include teams to work out any differences between the parties and “ensure that power is maintained, minimizing risk and mitigating destabilizing factors that could harm the country or the economy or financial markets.” harm”.
Move Forward’s progressive agenda resonated with a public weary of nine years of military rule under Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the 2014 coup as army chief.
The party garnered a wave of support ahead of Sunday’s polls, making it the largest party in the legislature with 151 seats. Prayuth’s United Thai Nation Party won just 23 seats in the House.
Move Forward ousted another opposition party, Pheu Thai, which aligned itself with popular former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in a 2006 coup.
Pheu Thai leader Cholanan Srikaew pledged unequivocal support for Pita as prime minister and for Move Forward’s bid to form a new government.
All senators voted for Prayuth as prime minister after the 2019 election, allowing him to remain in office despite a Pheu Thai victory in those polls. Some senators have already said they will not support Pita as prime minister because they oppose any amendment to the lese-majeste law, known as Section 112.
“I affirm that we want to protect the monarchy, but also not allow 112 to be used to harm other people,” said Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, which is part of Pita’s coalition.
She said each party in the coalition has a different position on the law. “We need to talk about this article and all the other policies,” she said.
Pita said the parties will sign a memorandum of understanding next week to reach a common understanding of how they will work together as a government.
He also brushed off a pending case filed with the Election Commission to disqualify him over shares he allegedly owns in a media company.
“I’m not concerned. … I understand there are many dimensions to politics,” Pita said. “As a public figure, I can accept the research.”
