BANGKOK. Pheu Thai, the second-biggest partner in the eight-party coalition vying to form the next government, has taken over the leadership role from the Move Forward party, top Pheu Thai leaders said on Friday.
Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew thanked Move Forward for handing down “the mission of forming a government” to his party – a gesture he described as “in line with the political path under the democratic system with the king as head of state”.
“Pheu Thai will hold discussions with the existing eight coalition partners to set guidelines for forming a new government,” Cholnan said at a news conference at Pheu Thai’s headquarters. Party Deputy Chairman Phumtham Wechayachai and Party Secretary-General Prasert Jantararuangtong also attended the event.
The Move Forward party won the most seats in parliament in the May 14 election with 151, followed by Pheu Thai with 141.
However, Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward’s sole candidate for prime minister, failed to secure majority support in both houses of parliament in his bid to become the country’s 30th prime minister.
Cholnan said at Friday’s press conference that the eight-party coalition had 312 votes, but that was not enough to garner majority support in parliament as many lawmakers have concerns about Article 112 of the Penal Code, also known as the lèse-majesté law.
“Pheu Thai needs to get more support from parliamentarians to win more than 375 votes [eine einfache Mehrheit im Parlament] to get,” he said.
“Pheu Thai will ask the senators and other political parties for votes so that we can finally form a new government,” he added.
Political parties outside the eight-party coalition and several senators had previously announced that they would not vote for any candidate from any party seeking to abolish or amend the lèse-majesté law. Some senators argued that Move Forward’s proposed legislative changes would undermine the monarchy and national security.
The Move Forward party has not backed down on its promise to change the lèse-majesté law.
When asked to comment on Move Forward’s stance on the issue, Phumtham of Pheu Thai Party said on Friday that his party would consult with Move Forward officials on the matter.
“If we move forward together, each party that has problems must be able to provide an answer as to why,” he said.
Asked whether Srettha Thavisin, one of Pheu Thai Party’s three prime ministerial candidates, would be nominated in the next parliamentary vote on July 27, Cholnan said it would be considered by the party’s executive board. He added that Pheu Thai will initially focus on garnering votes to secure majority support.
Earlier on Friday, Move Forward secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon said at a separate news conference that his party would nominate a Pheu Thai prime minister candidate as the country’s next prime minister at next Thursday’s parliamentary session.
He also stressed that despite all the legal hurdles his party faces, Move Forward remains committed to ensuring a successful formation of a new government.
Senators acted against “public opinion” by refusing to vote for the coalition that secured a majority in the House of Representatives, he said.
Chaithawat claimed that Move Forward’s firm stance on Article 112 was used as a pretext by conservative elements to prevent his party from leading a new government.
„[Was] What matters today is not whether Pita becomes prime minister. It’s more about whether Thailand can return to democracy,” Chaithawat said.
“Move Forward will offer the country an opportunity by allowing its second largest partner, Pheu Thai, to lead efforts to form an eight-party government under our MoU,” he added.
- Quelle: The Nation Thailand
2023-07-23 10:09:14
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