Pita allays fears of possible snags over rise to PM

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE PITA Limjaroenrat today (June 7) allayed fears among members of the public that a Move Forward-led coalition government with himself taking the helm could possibly turn out to be a fiasco due to certain hurdles.

In a press conference at the Pheu Thai headquarters, Pita suggested the people rest assured of an imminent success in the setting up of the Move Forward-led government consisting of eight coalition partners despite feared obstacles which might possibly be raised by the Election Commission, Constitutional Court and all 250 unelected senators.

Pita said the startup performance of the coalition partners will likely occur sooner than anticipated, given the polling agency’s chairman Itthiporn Boonprakhong’s comments that the MP-verification process will be finished sooner than scheduled.

Itthiporn earlier said the polling agency is largely expected to verify a minimum 95% of a total of 500 MP-designates two or three weeks ahead of the latest schedule for July 13 as provided by law.

In the meantime, Pita said he had prepared himself for possible varied snags on the part of the polling agency, Constitutional Court and senators upon his voters-driven rise to premiership.

Pita repeated his assurances that he had already prepared bona fide documents pertaining to the management and transfer of his shares in the non-performing ITV channel which he may readily produce to the polling agency upon request whilst efforts on the part of the Move Forward have been taken and will be further taken in informal talk with senators to clarify their campaign policies, especially involving a public pledge to amend the draconian lese majeste law, better known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

The Move Forward leader today held talks with the seven other coalition partners to discuss the current situation surrounding the setting up of the Move Forward-led coalition government with a combined force of 312 MPs, among other issues, whilst waiting for the Election Commission to verify the minimum 95% of all MP-designates or 475 MPs by later this month.

Then, the MPs will convene in the first House meeting to pick a House speaker whilst a joint House/Senate session will likely follow at a one-week interval to pick head of a post-election government.

As prime minister-designate, Pita is needing yea votes from more than half the combined total of MPs and senators or at least 376 votes.

Meanwhile, Phue Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew declined to respond to sustained speculation that Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan might probably call it quits after he had unfruitfully run for prime minister in the May 14 election.

Prawit’s speculated departure would almost certainly prompt the dissolution of his party and an exodus of 40-strong MPs to other camps in a 60-day time as provided by law.

Many of the Palang Pracharath MP-designates used to belong to the Pheu Thai under de facto party boss Thaksin Shinawatra whilst Sam Mit Group headed by Somsak Thepsuthin had earlier returned to the second largest party.

Neither did Chonlanan confirm or deny that his camp would almost immediately name one of a trio of Pheu Thai contenders for prime minister only if the Move Forward leader has possibly failed to become one.

The Pheu Thai trio are Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, real estate tycoon Settha Taweesin, known as personally close to deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and former justice minister Chaikasem Nitisiri.

CAPTION:

Move Forward leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat seated next to Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew during today’s press conference at Pheu Thai headquarters, above, and talking to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s daughter and prime minister candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Front Page. Both photos: Matichon

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