“It is the highest honour in my life to be able to serve you all. I would like to promise all of you that when we wake up every morning, we will absolutely fight for everyone of you.”
ENOUGH SUPPORT TO FORM MAJORITY GOVERNMENT
The Move Forward Party leader told his supporters that they have enough support from political allies to form a majority government.
Currently, the coalition includes five opposition parties namely Move Forward, Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Sang Thai and Seri Ruam Thai, plus one newcomer – the Fair Party.
Together they have 309 members of parliament (MPs), which is more than half of the 500-seat House of Representatives.
However, there is still uncertainty about whether the Move Forward Party can eventually form the next government and who will win the premiership.
The selection of the prime minister under Thailand’s current constitution involves both the House of Representatives and the 250-member Senate – the upper house of parliament.
For a candidate to become prime minister, the person must be approved by more than half of the combined assembly.
This means the Move Forward Party needs to consolidate at least 376 votes – either from both Houses or only from the Lower House – in order for Mr Pita to win the premiership and form the government.
“Whoever wants to go against the people’s consensus and your voices, tell them it won’t benefit anyone,” the prime ministerial hopeful told his supporters. “Close door on a minority government.”
Before he ended his speech, Mr Pita shared his aspirations for the country’s future.
“We will never let an opportunity like this go to waste or fly away. We have to build the Thailand that we love, which is full of everyone’s hopes and dreams,” he said.
“Soon we will have the next prime minister named Pita Limjaroenrat and we will change this country together.”