Thailand’s election-winning Move Forward Party leader prepares for second vote on premiership, after being denied last week.
Thailand has had a caretaker administration since March, following nine years of military-controlled government.
The 42-year-old liberal Pita Limjaroenrat needs majority support from parliament to become the next prime minister, but faces resistance from the military.
Military-written parliamentary rules ensured Pita’s defeat in the first round, due to the Senate’s support for conservatives and old money families.
Pita acknowledges the challenge and states that if he fails this time, he will make way for Pheu Thai to field its prime ministerial candidate.
In an interview, Pita stated, “I didn’t fail. I won the election, formed a coalition, and was blocked by the Senate.”
He fell 51 votes short, with only 13 senators backing him, while others abstained or were absent.
Move Forward believes many senators were pressured to deny him, but Pita hopes some may change their minds.
Pita has reached out to the 13 senators who pledged to vote for him, counting it as a sizable bloc.
The progressive Move Forward Party attracted urban and young voters through a disruptive social media campaign, promising institutional reforms.
However, their agenda has faced resistance from powerful interests, and Pita faces obstacles that may prevent the parliamentary vote from taking place.
Some senators aim to prevent him from contesting, citing that no candidate should be nominated twice.
While parliament convenes, the Constitutional Court will review a complaint against Pita regarding a shareholding issue, potentially resulting in his suspension as a lawmaker.
Pita regards this as a pre-planned situation, stating, “That’s fine.”
(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Michael Perry)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
