The seven parties that comprise the eight-member political coalition, led by the Move Forward Party (MFP), are eager for clarity on the MFP’s strategic approach to the looming parliamentary vote for a new prime minister.
This need for a clear plan arises should Pita Limjaroenrat, the party leader, not secure a victory in the initial vote slated for this coming Thursday.
The seven potential coalition partners have been expressing doubts about the number of voting rounds required to elect a new prime minister.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha previously indicated that voting would continue until a successful selection is made.
The parties are also seeking a response from the MFP regarding rumours of a proposal to repeatedly hold a vote until the Senate’s term ends in May of next year.
This proposal would be implemented if Mr. Pita fails to obtain enough votes from the senators to become the new prime minister.
Prasert Chantararuangthong, secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, a significant player in the MFP-led coalition, did not foresee the MFP outlining their plan if Mr Pita does not win the first vote, given the party’s apparent confidence in his victory.
Mr Prasert was referring to upcoming deliberations at Tuesday’s meeting of the eight parties, summoned by Chaithawat Tulathon, MFP secretary-general, prior to Thursday’s vote.
When queried whether the MFP provided any specifics on the number of senatorial votes secured for Mr Pita, Mr Prasert disclosed that no precise figure was mentioned by the MFP.
He also mentioned that Pheu Thai would hold a party meeting on Wednesday. Mr Prasert voiced his personal disagreement with the concept of a minority government.
Senator Amphol Jindawatana, via Facebook, expressed his intent to vote for a prime ministerial candidate supported by parties that hold more than half of the MPs. This was his approach when he voted for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2019.
Mr Pita took a trip to Suphan Buri to express gratitude to MFP backers before meeting with MFP enthusiasts outside CentralWorld later that day in Bangkok.
“If you, all my fellow MPs, agree it’s time to end the unusual political development and return to normality, you don’t have to choose me but any new government that comes from the people. Will you?” he addressed the crowd while in Suphan Buri on Sunday.
Responding to what he would do if he fails the first vote, Mr Pita said: “Keep voting then”.
A poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll) indicated that the majority believe the eight-party coalition will succeed in making Mr Pita the prime minister.
Concurrently, activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana claimed to have discovered new evidence bolstering allegations of Mr Pita’s disqualification to run in the election and become a Member of Parliament and prime minister.
According to Mr Ruangkrai, Mr Pita’s earnings from authoring and publishing at least four books may be seen as running a newspaper, as outlined in the Printing Registration Act 2007.
Mr Ruangkrai plans to submit a petition to the Election Commission, urging the regulatory body to investigate the validity of his claim.
In related news, Senator Somchai Sawangkarn warned the EC of legal consequences should they prolong the decision regarding Mr Pita’s eligibility to become an MP and potential prime ministerial nominee.
Mr Somchai insisted that by now, the EC should have petitioned the Constitutional Court to review Mr Pita’s iTV Plc shareholding case, and placed him on temporary suspension during the case proceedings.
According to an insider, the EC committee investigating Mr Pita’s purported ineligibility due to his prior ownership of 42,000 shares in iTV has concluded its inquiry and will likely submit their findings to the EC’s primary committee on Monday or Tuesday.
