Opposition submits tenure petition

Wants PM hanging ahead of court ruling

The opposition formally petitioned the Constitutional Courtroom yesterday to rule on Prime Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) Prayut Chan-o-cha’s eight-year tenure and requested that he be hanging pending the judgment.

Brought by Cholnan Srikaew, leader of the major opposition Pheu Thai Party, the group offered its petition towards the court via parliament president Chuan Leekpai. It was signed simply by 171 MPs.

The bloc insists Gen Prayut’s maximum eight-year tenure must expire upon Aug 24. It said he has served two back-to-back four-year terms as best minister since he was installed in August 2014, a couple of months after the coup in May of that year.

Dr Cholnan said the request was lodged with Mr Chuan below Section 82 from the constitution which stipulates that the request towards the Constitutional Court become submitted via the parliament president. The resistance said Gen Prayut should not be involved in giving affairs of condition while the court looks at the case.

“But it is still left to the Constitutional Courtroom to decide on the case, ” Dr Cholnan mentioned.

The particular Pheu Thai head said the opposition believed the courtroom would take into consideration the particular spirit of the charter, which seeks to prevent a prime minister from spending too long in office and hogging power to the extent of causing social and political conflicts.

Dr Cholnan said he was self-confident the petition would be taken up by the courtroom. However , even if this finds Gen Prayut has exceeded his tenure, he may still be able to work as an interim prime minister.

There is no preventing a leading minister having outlasted his term in office from serving in an interim capability until a replacement is usually chosen.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the most senior deputy prime minister, may also fill in as interim prime minister whenever the court purchases Gen Prayut to become suspended. Dr Cholnan, however , did not low cost the possibility of the courtroom admitting the case although not issuing the injunction.

When Gen Prayut survives the court’s ruling, he has a strong chance of continuing as prime minister until following March when the government’s tenure ends.

Dr Cholnan said he anticipated parliament to pass the petition to the Constitutional Court on Monday.

Mister Chuan said the petition will be examined to see if the signatures were genuine, a procedure which requires around three working days.