The leader of the Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, has begun forming a coalition government with the Pheu Thai party and four other smaller political parties, only hours after the Election Commission unofficially confirmed Move Forward’s victory in Sunday’s general election. Pita estimates that the six-party coalition will have a combined 309 seats in the House of Representatives.
Pita said at a news conference that he wants to form the coalition as soon as possible to avoid a political vacuum and prevent a possible counter-move by parties in the current ruling coalition.
“We are confident that we will secure a majority for the coalition to move forward.”
Move Forward has won 151 House seats in the general election, 112 constituency, and 39 party-list. Pheu Thai trails with 141. Pita phoned Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a prime ministerial candidate of Pheu Thai, to invite the main opposition party to join Move Forward in forming a coalition, along with the Prachachat, Seri Ruam Thai, Thai Sang Thai, and Pentham parties.
Speculating on the Senate’s stand on the appointment of prime minister…
“I hope that the will of the majority of the people will be respected.”
According to the current constitution, the 250 senators will have a say in electing the prime minister. Pita will need support from at least 376 MPs and senators combined to be elected prime minister.
The executive committee of Move Forward will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss steps to be taken in forming the coalition. Later in the evening, the party will hold a victory celebration in Bangkok to thank voters for their support.
