The Move Forward Party says they’re not fazed by speculation it could be ejected from the 8-party coalition trying to form a government. Most of the recent speculation on the formation of a new government hasn’t included the Move Forward Party, the party that won the highest number of primary votes in the May 14 election.
The Bangkok Post reports that some sources say the new government could include parties such as Bhumjaithai, led by caretaker heath minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Chart Thai Pattana party. Bhumjaithai won the third highest number of MPs in the new parliament (71) but their leader has been conspicuously quiet since the election.
Parties associated with the military junta, such as the Palang Pracharath Party and the United Thai Nation Party, would not be invited to join. Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, Srettha Thavisin, is expected to be nominated during Friday’s PM vote.
However, there’s no love lost between Bhumjaithai and MFP, with MPs from the former saying the party will not join any coalition that has MFP as a member. The reason given is the MFP’s determination to reform Thailand’s controversial lèse-majesté law.
Those in the know speculate that were Bhumjaithai to be invited into the coalition, it would leave MFP with no choice but to exit the bloc. Thus, the party that won the most seats in the May 14 general election would become the opposition, while still voting for Pheu Thai’s candidate as PM.
According to the Bangkok Post, if the MFP does leave, there is a chance that Pheu Thai might once again invite the PPRP, the UTN, and the Democrat Party into the coalition.
Meanwhile, MFP MP Rangsiman Rome has dismissed reports that Pheu Thai might give Bhumjaithai a role in forming the new government, pointing out that based on the election results, Anutin’s party does not have a mandate from the people.
“If Bhumjathai can form a government, this will deviate from normal circumstances. If we discussed politics on the basis of the people’s wishes, Bhumjaithai would not have a chance (of forming a government).”
Of course, whether or not the PM vote does take place on Friday is down to whatever the Constitutional Court decides the day before. The court is expected to confirm if it will accept a petition in relation to the rejected re-nomination of MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat for the role of PM.
In the event the court accepts the petition, parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha says the vote will be postponed until the court has ruled on the matter.
It’s now been 13 weeks since the May 14 election for a new lower house.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
