Thai Parliament blocks leader of party that won election from being renominated for prime minister
The battle for Thailand’s new prime minister has taken a dramatic turn. Parliament denied Pita Limjaroenrat a second opportunity to confirm her candidacy. Her progressive Move Forward Party, which won the May election in a shock victory, had been a strong contender.
Pita assembled a coalition of political parties that held a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. His nomination as prime minister was rejected in a joint House-Senate vote last week. The majority of conservative military-appointed Senators refused to support him.
The question of whether Pita should be nominated a second-time was debated in a joint session on Wednesday. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha put it to a vote. The motion to deny Pita a second chance passed with a vote 395-312 and eight abstentions. The Parliament meeting was adjourned without any indication as to when they would vote on a new Prime Minister.
Pita suffered a second blow on Wednesday after the Constitutional Court suspended his membership in Parliament while it ruled on whether or not he had violated the election law.
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Pita could still have been nominated and selected as Prime Minister if the court had announced its decision. This is now outlawed by Parliament, and Pita still faces legal risk, including a possible prison sentence if the court rules in his favor.
Pita said that he would obey the court order during a discussion on whether or not he was eligible to be renominated.
“I believe Thailand has changed and will never again be the same since May 14, said Pita in reference to his party’s electoral victory. “The people won half of the battle. Another half is left. “Even though I won’t be able to do my duty, I would like to ask that all members help to take care of people now.”
He said, “Thanks very much” before leaving to the applause from his supporters.
Pita’s chances to be named Prime Minister were already slim. All but 13 of the Senate’s appointed members, who represent the traditional conservative ruling class in the country along with the courts and military, rejected him.
His party has promised to amend the law which makes it illegal to disparage Thailand’s Royal Family. Critics claim that the law, which can carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail, is often used as a weapon to gain political advantage.
Move Forward’s agenda, which was very popular with younger voters, also aims to reduce the influence and power of big business monopolies, as well as the military. The military has been involved in more than 12 coups since Thailand adopted a constitution monarchy system in 1932.
Pita announced on Monday that, if he did not receive a majority of votes by Wednesday, he would let a candidate representing another coalition party run for the position. Media attention has already been focused on possible replacements of Pita.
The candidate is from the Pheu Thai Party, which has 141 seats, only 10 less than Move Forward, with 151.
The eight-party coalition fell short of the required 376 votes to gain power in the House and Senate vote last week.
Pita was the only candidate for Move Forward, whereas Pheu Thai registered 3 names: Srettha Thavisin, a real estate tycoon; Paetongtarn Shinawatra (the daughter of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in 2006 by a military coup); and Chaikasem Nitsiri, chief strategist of the party.
Srettha is the frontrunner, having only entered politics last year. He received Paetongtarn’s support on Tuesday.
If the Pheu Thai candidate fails to win approval from parliament, pressure will mount to form a new alliance, adding partners who are less liberal, while dropping Move Forward, whose position on royal reform was seen as a stumbling-block to compromise.
Move Forward declared that it had no interest in joining a coalition government with parties associated with nine years of military rule.
“I believe they would be willing step out of the scene themselves and still feel that they are honoring the promises they made to voters during the pre-election campaigns,” said Saowanee Alexander, a Professor at Ubon Ratchathani University located in northeastern Thailand.
She said that the reform of monarchy is “very difficult for politics to move forward.”
Saowanee: “I don’t know how to get rid of these roadblocks.”
Pita’s supporters and prodemocracy protestors were enraged by the prospect that he would not be appointed prime minister. They called for a demonstration on Wednesday. By Wednesday evening, about 600 people peacefully gathered at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument. This is a popular protest site.
