The opposition People’s Party (PP) and the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) on Wednesday announced the terms of their political agreement on the nomination of Thailand's 32nd prime minister, after the Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office.
The court ruling also mandates the resignation of the entire cabinet. Consequently, the House of Representatives must consider nominations and approve a new prime minister, in accordance with Section 159 of the constitution.
The two parties agreed the incoming premier should serve only briefly to address urgent issues within a short timeframe, initiate a public referendum to pave the way for a new constitution, and then dissolve the House.
Members of the PP agreed to endorse Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the BJT, as the new prime minister under the following five conditions, agreed to by both parties:
1. The new prime minister must dissolve the House within four months after delivering the government's policy statement to parliament, paving the way for a general election.
2. If the Constitutional Court rules that a referendum is required before amending the 2017 constitution under Section 256, the new cabinet must organise a referendum on a constitutional amendment to establish an elected constitution drafting assembly. The referendum must beheld no later than the date of the general election.
3. If the charter court rules that a referendum is not required before amending the 2017 constitution, the new cabinet, together with the PP and the BJT, must expedite constitutional amendments to enable the drafting of a new charter by an elected assembly to be established during the term of the current House.
4. To guarantee that the new prime minister dissolves the House within the four-month timeframe, BJT must refrain from manoeuvres to form a majority government.
5. The PP will remain in opposition, pledging to scrutinise rigorously the new administration. No members of the PP will accept a ministerial post.
The PP, with 143 MPs and the largest party in the House, emerged as the kingmaker following the dismissal of Ms Paetongtarn from the prime ministership by the Constitutional Court last Friday.
Over recent days, the Pheu Thai and BJT parties have been seeking the PP's backing for their respective prime ministerial candidates, Chaikasem Nitisiri and Anutin, before the PP voted to support the BJT.
The PP won the 2023 general election but was out-manoeuvred by Pheu Thai in forming a government and finally settled for leading the opposition.
