The deputy leader of the Move Forward Party says no decision has been made yet on whether or not MFP will back Srettha Thavisin for PM. The Pheu Thai Party has decided to enter into a coalition with the Bhumjaithai Party, with both parties agreeing to nominate Srettha, a former real estate tycoon, for the top job.
Pheu Thai is also courting additional parties from the former coalition in a move that will bolster its majority in the lower house whilst, at the same time, infuriating its supporters. Pheu Thai said after the election it would never be in a coalition with the “uncle parties”, referring to the military-backed conservative parties with Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha in charge.
If MFP were to back the election of Srettha as the new Thai PM it would be seen as “in good faith” but, in reality, the new Pheu Thai coalition and Senators would have enough votes without Move Forward’s support.
MFP’s deputy leader Supisarn Bhakdinarinath had previously suggested that the party would back Pheu Thai’s candidate, saying doing so would remove power from the unelected senators appointed by the outgoing junta.
According to a Nation Thailand report, Supisarn has also stated that his party and Pheu Thai remain “true friends” and that “the door to work together again remains open”.
MFP were badly burnt by Pheu Thai when the latter decided to leave the Move Forward-led coalition, reneging on MoUs signed in partnership with their 7 coalition partners. The move has also angered some Pheu Thai supporters.
Pheu Thai has now gone into coalition with their former political foes, the Bhumjaithai Party, giving both parties a combined 212 seats in the House of Representatives.
The parties held a joint press conference on Monday, August 7, in which they asked for support from all sides, in order to form a government and sort out the country’s problems. Pheu Thai has also stated that drafting a new constitution will be a priority, albeit one that will take 2 years.
Meanwhile, MFP’s Supisarn now says his party’s position on whether or not to vote for Srettha remains undecided, adding that some MFP members have openly disagreed or remained silent on the matter. He says the party will discuss the matter once a new date for the PM vote has been confirmed.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
