Thailand’s newly-elected House Speaker says the vote to decide who will be the country’s next prime minister will be held next Thursday on July 13.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, who also holds the role of Parliament president, adds that he can’t say how many voting rounds might be required should Pita Limjaroenrat fail to win the requisite number of votes. It might be a LONG day.
The Move Forward leader needs 376 votes to become Thailand’s 30th PM, but several senators have already stated that his commitment to reforming the controversial lèse-majesté law, which prohibits criticism of the monarchy, means he’s lost their vote.
Nation Thailand reports that, while addressing reporters, Wan Noor confirmed preparations are underway to vote for Thailand’s new leader. He has met with Pornpit Phetcharoen, secretary-general of the House of Representatives, to discuss the PM vote and they agreed to hold a joint sitting, starting at 9.30am on July 13.
Wan has acknowledged that Pita may not get the 376 votes he needs in one sitting and in this case, he says he will consult with both Houses of Parliament to determine next steps.
“If the candidate does not get 64 more votes, another round of voting will have to be called. I can’t tell how many more rounds will have to be called.”
Thailand’s constitution dictates that the PM is elected through a simple majority of 500 MPs and 250 senators, or a minimum of 376 votes.
The Move Forward-led coalition has 312 MPs across 8 political parties, meaning that if Pita fails to secure an additional 64 votes from non-coalition parties, he needs to turn to the junta-appointed Senate.
According to Wan, the charter dictates that voting continue until a PM candidate receives 376 votes, but doesn’t specify how many times, or whether or not new candidates must be nominated.
“I can’t tell what will happen in the future, but the most important thing is we get ourselves a prime minister to run the country.”
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
