The illustrious Pheu Thai deputy leader, Phumtham Wechayachai reinforced on Monday that the formation of a fresh coalition government, endorsed by both elected members and chosen senators, hinged on the omission of the Move Forward Party (MFP) from its ranks. According to Wechayachai, the matter should be ironed out in discourses scheduled for this week, building up to the anticipated joint meeting of the two parliamentary chambers on Friday.
He shared that discussions revealing the sentiment amongst various other elected MPs and nominated senators that they would rally behind a Prime Minister nominee proposed by the Pheu Thai Party, provided that the MFP was left out of the new government mix. “This quandary stands before us”, Wechayachai said, noting that the alliance’s resolve on the issue will be sought out during coalition discussions.
Pheu Thai plans to hold a confab with MFP and the remaining six allies come Wednesday, while internal Pheu Thai MP will be scheduled on the following day. By Friday, Wechayachai expects a joint House–Senate session where a vote for the next Prime Minister will be cast.
After the May 14 general election, where MFP emerged victoriously with 151 House seats, it granted Pheu Thai, the runner-up party boasting 141 House seats, the authority to spearhead the formation of the subsequent government. This gracious gesture followed the failure of MFP’s Pita Limjaroenrat, their sole PM solicitor, to secure a majority vote from the joint parliament on July 13.
Amidst this political reshuffling, lawmakers harboured misgivings around MFP’s designs to revise Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the infamous lese majeste law. To alleviate tensions and clarify Pheu Thai’s stance, Wechayachai tweeted their economic policies on Monday, presenting Pheu Thai as the guiding hand of the expected successor government. Their policy highlights include generous allocations such as depositing 10,000 baht cyberspace coins into every eligible voter’s digital coffers, a minimum wage track progressing to 600 baht within four years, and setting a monthly pay threshold of 20,000 baht for degree-holders and family income.
As per Pheu Thai list MP Noppadon Patama’s statement, Srettha Thavisin could be the party’s nominee for the Friday joint PM election. He anticipates Thavisin bagging majority votes in his favour imminently. Despite slight political bumps, like MFP’s proposition for a 10-month delay until the current 249 appointed senators complete their five-year terms, citizens yearn for the new government to forge ahead with its generation promptly, according to Noppadon.
Speculation about a potential Pheu Thai-led coalition government enlists the Palang Pracharath Party (40 House votes), the Bhumjaithai Party (71 votes), the Democrat Party (25), the Chartthaipattana Party (10), the Prachachat Party (9), Pue Thai Rumphlang Party (2 MPs), the Chartpattanakla Party (2), the Seri Ruam Thai Party (1), and the Plung Sungkom Mai Party (with 1 vote). This assemblage of forces would secure a collective 302 House votes from the 500 representatives.
In response to the revelations, MFP deputy secretary-general Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat contended that the disclosure about the fresh government’s constitution should not have been shared before a meeting of the eight coalition allies, which includes MFP. Boonchaiinsawat noted: “The victor of the general election permitted the Pheu Thai Party to helm the government’s genesis as it envisions a novel government comprising the eight political parties.” He made an overt reference to the nascent MFP coalition.
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