According to foreign media reports, on the 3rd, Thailand’s largest opposition party in parliament, the People’s Party, announced its support for Thai Pride Party leader Anutin to become the next prime minister. Following this, Acting Prime Minister Prawit has begun the process of dissolving parliament to pave the way for early elections.
Last week, former prime minister Paetongtarn of the Pheu Thai Party was ruled to step down by the Constitutional Court. The new prime minister must receive the support of more than half of the House of Representatives (at least 247 votes) to be elected. In order to win the support of the opposition People’s Party, which holds the most seats in parliament, both the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the Thai Pride Party have agreed to accept all of the People’s Party’s conditions, including promoting a constitutional referendum, and dissolving parliament to hold new elections within four months after the new government presents its policy agenda.
According to Bloomberg, Sorawej, secretary-general of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, told reporters that Prawit has submitted the order to dissolve the House of Representatives and is seeking royal approval. According to Thai law, a national general election must be held within 60 days of parliament’s dissolution.
Paetongtarn, from the Pheu Thai Party, was ruled last week by the Constitutional Court to have violated constitutional ethical standards and was immediately removed from the post of prime minister. The new prime minister must gain the support of more than half the House of Representatives (at least 247 votes) to be elected.
The Pheu Thai Party’s new candidate for prime minister is former justice minister Chaikasem, while Anutin has previously served as Thailand’s deputy prime minister and interior minister.