30-6-2023 (BANGKOK) The much-anticipated selection of the new House speaker in Thailand is scheduled to take place on July 4, as the Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai Party remain deadlocked over who will assume the position.
In a letter issued on Thursday by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives, all Members of Parliament (MPs) were asked to attend the first House session on the specified date. The agenda for the session, as stated on the official website, includes the selection of a speaker and two deputies.
In addition, Pornpit Petchcharoen, the secretary-general of the House of Representatives, sent invitations to all MPs and senators, requesting their presence at the state opening of parliament on July 3, which will be presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam emphasized the urgency of choosing the new House speaker and two deputies within 10 days of the opening of parliament, or by July 13. He highlighted that the selection of a new speaker should not be delayed since it only requires the support of a majority in the Lower House, whereas the appointment of a new prime minister necessitates the support of both MPs and senators.
Originally, the MFP and Pheu Thai were supposed to settle the House speaker position on Wednesday. However, the meeting was postponed by the MFP after Pheu Thai indicated its unwillingness to compromise. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew confirmed on Thursday that both parties will reconvene on Sunday to discuss the matter, and a meeting involving the eight coalition parties will also be held on the same day.
Referring to the MFP as the first-placed party in the May 14 vote, Dr. Cholnan said, “We are the runner-up party, and we respect the first-placed party.” The MFP secured 151 seats in last month’s election, surpassing Pheu Thai by 10 seats. These two parties, along with six others, have formed a prospective coalition consisting of 313 members, aspiring to become the next government.
“We have presented our proposal for consideration by the first-placed party. This is not a battle for the [speaker] position. We are not pressuring [the MFP]. We’re only asking for it… We have not received any answer yet,” Dr. Cholnan explained. However, he added that if the MFP refuses to concede, they will have to evaluate their next steps while upholding the principles of a democratic government.
When asked about the possibility of Pheu Thai withdrawing from the MFP-led coalition, Dr. Cholnan expressed that the party is bound by the mandate of the 25 million people who voted for both parties. He emphasized the importance of engaging in talks to resolve any differences.
Regarding the nomination process for House speaker, whether it should involve only one candidate instead of two or three, Dr. Cholnan stated that the eight parties would discuss this matter soon, and they must all abide by the conclusion reached.
Meanwhile, Deputy Pheu Thai leader Phumtham Wechayachai dismissed a report concerning a new power-sharing proposal. The proposal suggested that Pheu Thai would relinquish one cabinet seat in exchange for the House speakership, resulting in Pheu Thai having 13 cabinet positions and the House speaker role, while the MFP would receive 15 cabinet seats and the prime minister’s position. Mr. Phumtham affirmed that Pheu Thai still adheres to its original proposal, in which both parties would be allocated 14 cabinet seats each, with the MFP holding the prime minister’s position and Pheu Thai assuming the House speaker role.
Chaithawat Tulathon, the secretary-general of the MFP, stated that party MPs are prepared to attend the House meeting on July 4 for the selection of the new speaker. He expressed confidence that the process would proceed smoothly and that the MFP and Pheu Thai would be able to resolve their deadlock prior to the meeting, facilitating the formation of a coalition government.
