Move Forward seeking general debate against govt

Move Forward seeking general debate against govt
Move Forward seeking general debate against govt
After being selected to succeed Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward Party chief Chaithawat Tulathon addresses a group of party members on September 24 in Bangkok. ( Image: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul )

According to Chaithawat Tulathon, the leader of the Move Forward Party( MFP ), the opposition camp intends to hold a general discussion against the Pheu Thai-led government early in 2019.

The Democrat Party and the Fair Party, two opposition parties, held their first formal meeting on Thursday, according to Mr. Chaithawat, to discuss their work for the legislative session and split.

The MFP head, who will take on the role of opposition leadership, stated that he had asked opposition partners to work together and effectively to examine the government’s work and encourage public involvement in the check-and-balance system.

After the Budget Bill is passed, the opposition intends to file a motion for public debate to grill the government about its performance early the following year, according to Mr. Chaithawat.

Without casting a vote, the House may question and propose ideas to cabinet ministers during the public debate under Area 152 of the constitution.

But, Mr. Chaithawat stated that if the opposition has information or proof regarding any irregularities, the planned public debate may be changed to a no-confidence debate.

Every Tuesday night, one day before the House discussions on Wednesday and Thursday, the foe paddles are supposed to convene, he continued.

Pita Limjarorenrat, who left the group’s leading position after being suspended as an MP due to his internet ownership situation, was replaced by Mr. Chaithawat when he was elected as the MFP president last month.

After the MFP fired Deputy House Speaker Padipat Santipada, who has since joined the Fair Party, Mr. Chaithawat was given the go-ahead to take over as criticism leader.

Mr. Padipat’s extrusion was needed for the MFP to assume the position of opposition leader because Section 106 of the charter forbids a part of an opposition party from serving as the government minister or House presenter.