PHEU THAI’S STAKE
In a potential disagreement over the House Speaker position, an MP-elect from the Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday voiced his opposition against the coalition leader’s wish to occupy the key position.
Mr Adisorn Piangket told local media that while his party supports Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat to become Thailand’s next prime minister, he does not believe the legislative power also has to come under the same political group, even though it won a majority of seats in the Lower House.
“Looking at both parties’ members, I believe it is more appropriate for the Pheu Thai Party to have the House Speaker position,” he said before brushing aside speculation of a fight for the job.
“Both Pheu Thai and Move Forward are democratic parties. To make it democratic, I believe the House Speaker position should be decided in a parliamentary vote,” Mr Adisorn added.
According to Ms Sirikanya, the coalition partners are in the process of allocating the ministries and ironing out differences in policies and implementation, and no decision has been made about the next House Speaker.
Meanwhile, top leaders of the Pheu Thai camp have expressed their support for the Move Forward Party to form a coalition government and for Mr Pita to become the next prime minister.
“We will help Move Forward to form the government successfully,” prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a statement from the Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday.
The party has repeatedly maintained its unwavering support for Move Forward to lead Thailand’s next government amid speculation on whether or not the election winner will be able to garner enough votes from the House of Representatives and the Senate to win the premiership.
For Mr Pita to become prime minister, his party needs the approval from more than half of the 750-seat National Assembly, or at least 376 votes in either the House of Representatives alone or the Senate too.
Several senators remain undecided on whether they will support his premiership, while others have made it clear they will vote against him.