27-8-2023 (BANGKOK) The future of the opposition leadership in Thailand remains uncertain, as the Move Forward Party (MFP), the largest party in the opposition, has expressed no interest in taking on the role. This development has left the beleaguered Democrat Party, the second largest party in the opposition, uncertain about whether it will assume the leadership position.
According to Democrat spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng, the MFP has the right to decline the opposition leader role, and the party can also decide whether to keep or drop the deputy House speaker post it currently holds in exchange for the leadership position.
In an interview with the media, MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat made it clear that neither he nor his party is interested in the opposition leader role. While pledging to work actively in the opposition and prepare for a potential big victory in the next election, Pita emphasized that the party was not elected to lead the opposition.
The question of who will lead the opposition remains uncertain, with the Democrat Party yet to give any thought to the role. The party is currently struggling to deal with a deep internal rift after a majority of its MPs voted for Pheu Thai Party’s Srettha Thavisin as prime minister, defying the party line.
Meanwhile, outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has stated that if the MFP declines the opposition leader role, it will be passed on to the Democrats. He noted that while the opposition leader may not have a great deal of authority, the party is entrusted with the position of co-selecting members of many independent agencies.
Under Section 106 of the charter, the opposition leader is appointed from the biggest party in the opposition, and its MPs must not serve as cabinet ministers or as the House speaker or deputy speaker. With MFP’s Padipat Suntiphada currently serving as the first deputy House speaker, the party cannot legally lead the opposition camp.
