Bangkok – Thailand to convene on Monday first parliamentary session It remains uncertain who will become Prime Minister and form the new government after the May 14 general election.
What will happen in this session?
King Maha Vajiralongkorn will open a new 500-member House of Representatives on Monday and begin the process of electing its Speaker on Tuesday.
If that is decided, a date will be set to convene a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate (a fixed number of 250) to vote on the prime minister, expected around July 13th. After the prime minister is elected, a government is likely to be formed. Early August.
What does the House of Representatives look like?
Opposition “Forward” Party and “Pheu Thai Party” won 151 and 141 seatsrespectively, amid a clash of conservative rival forces allied with royalist forces after nine years of government led by the same generals who came to power in the 2014 coup.
The progressive Muwad and the populist Pheu Thai Party have formed a coalition of six minor parties that together aim to win 312 of the 500 seats in the lower house of parliament.
Outside the alliance, the Bhumjaithai Party has 71 seats, the Democratic Party has 25 seats, and the military-backed Palang Pracharat Party and the Thai Unity Party have 40 and 36 seats respectively.
There has been no announcement yet that they will attempt to form a minority government.
Is an alliance majority a guarantee of government formation?
No, that majority is only in the House of Representatives. A successful prime ministerial candidate must win a majority in a joint vote in both houses.
Political parties do not have representatives in the Senate appointed during the military rule. Senators have so far voted largely in line with military and conservative interests, including supporting coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha to remain prime minister after the 2019 elections.
How does the Prime Minister Vote Work?
A candidate needs 376 votes from 750 members of both houses to become prime minister. If no candidate achieves this, more candidates can be nominated, and lawmakers will continue to vote until that criterion is met.
Supported by an eight-party coalition Move Forward Leader Pita Rimjaroenrat (42)a Harvard graduate and former executive at ride-hailing app Grab.
Will Mr. Pita get the votes he needs?
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/challenges-ahead-as-thailand-s-reformist-party-eyes-pm-post Thai Reform Party Focuses on Prime Minister Post, Future Issues