The ongoing disagreement between the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties over who should get the House Speaker role will be resolved in a week. So says Pheu Thai PM candidate, Srettha Thavisin, who says the issue will be dealt with before a state ceremony planned for July 3.
During the ceremony, 500 elected MPs will pledge their allegiance to His Majesty the King, according to a Nation Thailand report. The next day, July 4, the House will officially assemble to elect the House Speaker and two deputy Speakers.
The Move Forward Party has been adamant that it needs to secure the Speaker role in order to push its campaign pledges over the line. Srettha is confident that his party and MFP will resolve the ongoing debate over the role shortly.
“I believe the two parties will reach an agreement over the House speaker’s post.”
MFP and Pheu Thai are the largest parties in the 8-party coalition hoping to form a government. Move Forward has 151 MPs and Pheu Thai has 141. According to Srettha, he has faith in both parties to resolve their disagreements ahead of the July 3 ceremony.
“Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat said it (the negotiations) will have a good ending. I’m confident the pro-democratic side will hold hands firmly and the dispute will be wrapped up by July 3.”
According to the Nation Thailand report, MFP is expected to get the role of House Speaker, to ensure it still has a platform for its policies in the event that Pita fails to secure the top job of PM.
Several senators have already stated they will not vote for Pita or say they remain indecisive, citing his pledge to reform Thailand’s lèse-majesté law. The controversial law prohibits criticism of the monarchy. Should Pita fail in his prime ministerial bid, Srettha is expected to be nominated.
The Pheu Thai MP says he plans to visit a number of Thai provinces on Friday to hear citizens’ concerns and see how they can be addressed.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
