BANGKOK, Jul 15 (NNN-TNA) – Thailand’s parliament will hold its second vote for a new prime minister on Jul 19, after the previous nomination failed to secure majority support, National Assembly President, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, confirmed yesterday.
This came after Move Forward Party leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, the only candidate nominated as prime minister in a joint sitting of parliament, received only 324 votes in favour on Thursday, short of the simple majority required to become prime minister.
Pita’s coalition commands more than 310 seats in the House of Representatives, but he was unable to persuade enough senators who overwhelmingly voted abstain.
Yesterday, Move Forward Party members submitted a draft constitution amendment to Wan Noor, who is also the Speaker of the House of Representatives, aiming to exclude senators from taking part in prime minister selection.
Under Section 272 of the Thai constitution, a prime ministerial candidate requires the approval of more than half of the bicameral parliament, which empowers the 250-member Senate to jointly elect the prime minister with the 500-member House of Representatives.
Move Forward Party Secretary-General, Chaithawat Tulathon, said, the purpose of the amendment is to return the power of selecting the prime minister to the House of Representatives, which is elected by the people.
