The opposition People’s Party will nominate its leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, for prime minister in a parliamentary vote next week, but has declined to reveal its choice for House speaker for now.
The decision to nominate candidates for the two positions was intended to reaffirm the People’s Party’s status as the largest opposition party, deputy spokeswoman Pukkamon Nunarnan told reporters on Friday.
She said contenders would present their visions ahead of the votes so that the public could assess their suitability and what they would deliver if chosen in these pivotal roles.
Thailand’s newly elected parliament will hold a ceremonial opening on Saturday at 5pm, with the House of Representatives set to convene the following day to choose the speaker and deputy speaker. Lawmakers are then expected to vote for a prime minister on March 19.
Under parliamentary rules, a contested House speaker vote is held by secret ballot, with all nominees required to present their visions.
The prime ministerial vote, by contrast, is conducted openly by roll call; whether nominees make policy statements depends on the House’s discretion.
The government coalition led by the Bhumjaithai Party currently commands 290 seats in the House, while the opposition holds 209 seats, 120 of which belong to the People’s Party.
Responding to comments that a lack of unity among opposition parties could weaken their oversight of the government, Ms Phakamon insisted the People’s Party would continue to scrutinise the administration thoroughly and as rigorously as before.
The People’s Party will be joined in opposition by the Democrats (21 seats), with whom they have some views in common, but the 58-seat Klatham Party is seen as more traditional. As well, Klatham chief adviser Thamanat Prompow was expecting his party to be in the coalition and many of his MPs will be unhappy now that they are not.
Ms Pukkamon argued that opposition coordination naturally differs from that of a governing coalition because it brings together parties not sharing executive power, and therefore operates under an opposition-specific model of unity.
Asked about the risk that a weak opposition could allow the Bhumjaithai coalition government to remain in office for four or even eight years, she said the public should wait to see the party’s performance before drawing conclusions.
