BANGKOK - Thailand’s Parliament opened on Thursday to vote for a prime minister, with front runner Pita Limjaroenrat saying he was confident despite a barrage of last-minute hurdles that could undo his bid for the premiership.
It is a pivotal moment in the dramatic aftermath of his progressive party’s shock May election win, with fears for renewed political instability in a country that has seen over a dozen military coups in the last century.
To win, Mr Pita needs support from at least some members of the country’s more established parties and junta-appointed senators, who were spooked by his Move Forward Party’s victory and horrified by its plans to amend the kingdom’s strict royal defamation laws.
Complicating his path to top office further, Mr Pita faces the threat of parliamentary suspension, and two cases that have been filed against him and his party.
He was nonetheless bullish ahead of Wednesday’s session, where lawmakers will debate for long hours before beginning to cast their votes.
“I am confident in myself that I will work with my full capacity to respond to people’s hopes and the support that they gave to me,” Mr Pita told reporters ahead of the session opening.
“I will try my best in showing my vision and explaining all senator’s doubts.”
As the session began, the streets approaching Parliament were empty of people, and razor wire could be seen on highway overpasses.
Containers covered by tarpaulins decorated with images of Thai landmarks ringed the Parliament compound perimeter.
The elections in May saw Thais reject the government of Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha, and Pita’s MFP has formed an eight-party coalition that includes election runners-up Pheu Thai Party.
But the chances of Mr Pita leading the coalition into government are looking increasingly slim.
The coalition holds 312 seats, short of the 375 it now needs across both Houses of Parliament to claim the prime ministership.
Finding those votes will prove difficult in the military-appointed, 250-member Senate because of the MFP’s push to reform Section 112 of Thailand’s criminal code, which bans defaming or insulting the royal family.
His plans to shake up the country’s powerful business monopolies have also sparked concern.
Another hurdle emerged Wednesday when the Election Commission recommended Mr Pita’s suspension from Parliament over allegations he broke campaign rules – a move the MFP branded as an “abuse of power”.
The recommendation followed a probe around Mr Pita’s ownership of shares in a media company, prohibited under Thai law.
Mr Pita has said he inherited the shares in the iTV television station, which has not broadcast since 2007, from his father and denies any wrongdoing.
In Parliament on Thursday, he defended himself again, telling lawmakers: “I am fully qualified.”
But it was clear the allegations will colour the vote.
“The Parliament cannot accept Pita’s name for consideration because he is prohibited to become a minister,” conservative senator Praphan Koonmee told Parliament, referencing the commission’s decision.
No other parties have announced alternative candidates.
If Mr Pita loses the first vote, the House Speaker will table session after session until a prime minister emerges – raising the spectre of weeks of deadlock and economic uncertainty.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zZS1hc2lhL3RoYWktcGFybGlhbWVudC12b3Rlcy1mb3ItcG0td2l0aC1yZWZvcm1pc3QtZnJvbnQtcnVubmVyLXBpdGEtZmFjaW5nLWh1cmRsZXPSAQA?oc=5
2023-07-13 03:34:36Z
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