On Monday, Phumtham Wechayachai, the deputy leader of the Pheu Thai, disclosed that the formation of a new coalition government will get the backing of elected MPs and appointed senators. This, however, stands on the premise that the Move Forward Party (MFP) would not be part of the new government. Ahead of the anticipated joint sitting of both legislative chambers on Friday, Mr Phumtham stated that crucial discussions concerning this issue would occur this week.
According to previous dialogues with elected MPs from various parties and senators, they are likely to vote for a prime minister who has been nominated by the Pheu Thai Party, provided that the MFP is sidelined. “This is the primary concern we are grappling with. The coalition partners are expected to convene to deliberate on this issue,” Mr Phumtham said.
Pheu Thai plans to host a meeting with the MFP and the six other allies on Wednesday. The elected MPs from the Pheu Thai Party would also convene the following day. A joint sitting of the Senate and the House is expected on Friday, where a vote for the new prime minister is likely to occur, according to Mr Phumtham.
In the May 14 General Election, MFP won 151 seats in the House of Representatives. As a result, Pheu Thai, which emerged as the second-largest party with an electoral victory in 141 constituencies, is in charge of forming the forthcoming government. This came about following the unsuccessful bid of Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader and the sole candidate from MFP for the Prime Minister’s post, to secure majority votes during the July 13 joint parliamentary session.
Legislators are wary of MFP’s proposal amendment to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law. Meanwhile, Pheu Thai’s economic policies, including 10K baht in all voters’ digital wallets, a minimal daily wage of 600 baht within four years, a minimum monthly pay of 20K baht for bachelor degree holders, and a minimum household income of 20K baht, were posted by Mr Phumtham on Twitter.
It is speculated that a Pheu Thai-led coalition government may encompass the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) – currently presiding over the caretaker government with 40 House votes, the Bhumjaithai Party with 71 votes, the Democrat Party with 25 votes, the Chartthaipattana Party with 10, the Prachachat Party with nine, the Pue Thai Rumphlang Party with two MPs, the Chartpattanakla Party with two, the Seri Ruam Thai Party with one, and the Plung Sungkom Mai Party, also with one vote. This political alliance would command 302 votes out of the 500 representatives in the House.
MFP’s deputy secretary-general Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat voiced his reservations about disclosing the composition of the new government ahead of the eight coalition partners’ meeting, which includes the MFP. He added that the political party [winning the general election] had allowed the Pheu Thai Party to lead the formation of the government, as they desired to see a new government comprising of eight political parties, a gesture alluding to the original MFP coalition.
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