6-7-2023 (BANGKOK) The fate of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s bid for prime minister will be decided in a joint sitting of parliament on July 13. The crucial vote will determine whether Pita Limjaroenrat can secure the necessary support to assume the role of the country’s new prime minister.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced on Wednesday that if a candidate fails to win in the first round of voting, subsequent rounds will be held until a candidate garners the required support in the joint sitting.
Currently, it remains uncertain whether the Pheu Thai Party, which secured the second largest number of seats in the House in the May 14 election, will nominate a candidate and who that candidate might be if Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure the position.
Prominent figures within the Pheu Thai Party had previously expressed their support for Pita Limjaroenrat’s bid. However, if he fails to succeed, the party will then consider nominating its own candidate.
Furthermore, it is yet to be determined whether the outgoing coalition parties, particularly the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and the United Thai Nation Party (UTN), will also put forth any candidates.
Speculation has been rife that PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon and UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga may also be nominated if Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure the support of senators.
If such a scenario unfolds, the PPRP and the UTN are expected to vigorously lobby for support for their respective candidates, according to sources.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, who also serves as the Parliament President, stated that he has scheduled the voting for July 13 after consulting with Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.
Under the constitution, the 250 appointed senators are allowed to participate in the vote, alongside the 500 elected members of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Wan clarified that a prime ministerial candidate could secure the position in the first round of voting on July 13. However, if the vote does not favor the candidate, another round of voting will be conducted.
According to the constitution, a prime ministerial candidate must receive the support of at least half of the total 750 members from both the lower and upper chambers of parliament, amounting to 376 votes.
“Parliament must convene until a prime minister is elected. Mr. Pita may not be the only candidate,” Mr. Wan emphasized.
“Mr. Pita has the possibility of winning the position. If not, a new prime minister must be chosen. Under the constitution, the country cannot function without a prime minister.”
Having won the most seats in the general election, the Move Forward Party holds the right to attempt to form a government initially.
Mr. Wan revealed that the eight coalition parties have 312 votes in support of Mr. Pita for the position of prime minister next week. They would need an additional 64 votes from senators or other MPs to reach the required minimum of 376 votes.
If Pita Limjaroenrat is not elected in the first round, the constitution does not specify whether a previously nominated individual or a new candidate should be put forward in the joint sitting.
However, candidates must be chosen from the lists submitted by parties to the Election Commission (EC), and their qualifications must be verified by the poll agency.
If nominated candidates fail to gain endorsement from both the House and the Senate, an outsider can be nominated as allowed by Section 272 of the constitution. Nevertheless, the process for selecting an outsider is rather complex, noted MrWan.
According to the constitution, if a joint sitting of parliament fails to select a new prime minister from party candidate lists, Section 272 would initiate an alternative route.
In such a scenario, if half of the 750 MPs and senators support a motion to suspend the rule requiring prime ministerial candidates to come from party lists, an outsider could be chosen.
However, the motion would need the support of two-thirds of all lawmakers, amounting to 500 votes, to suspend the rule. Furthermore, a nominated outsider would also require a minimum of 376 votes to assume the role of prime minister.
Pita Limjaroenrat faces challenges regarding his eligibility due to his shareholding in iTV Plc. The constitution prohibits individuals with media shareholdings from running for office.
