() – The Thai Parliament voted on Friday in favor of Paetongtarn Shinawatra becoming the country’s youngest prime minister, placing another member of the kingdom’s most famous and conflictive political dynasty in office.
The vote came two days after Thailand’s Constitutional Court ousted former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in a surprise decision that plunged the kingdom into greater political uncertainty and raised fresh concerns about the erosion of democratic rights.
Paetongtarn, 37, won 319 votes in the House of Representatives after being named the sole candidate by her party’s ruling coalition, Pheu Thai, to replace Srettha. He must still receive the backing of King Maha Vajiralongkorn before officially taking office and appointing a cabinet.
Paetongtarn will be Thailand’s second female prime minister, after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, and the youngest to hold the position.
Paetongtarn, a political newcomer, was one of three Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidates ahead of the national election in May last year and made international headlines when she gave birth just two weeks before the vote.
His appointment adds another twist to a years-long saga that has shaken Thailand’s already turbulent political landscape.
Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a military coup in 2006. Thaksin is one of Thailand’s most influential figures, whose economic and populist policies allowed him to build a political machine that has dominated Thai politics during the last two decades.
Srettha’s dismissal on Wednesday was the latest blow to the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai party, which has often clashed with Thailand’s conservative establishment, a small but powerful clique of military men, monarchists and businessmen.
Thaksin’s allied political parties have struggled to stay in power after being forced out by coups or judicial decisions.
Paetongtarn’s aunt, Yingluck, was ousted before the military seized power in a 2014 coup, and his father, Thaksin, went into self-exile in 2006 for more than 15 years to escape corruption charges after The military will overthrow his government.
Thaksin, a telecommunications billionaire and former owner of Manchester City football club, returned to Thailand in August last year.
He has retained enormous control over Thai politics and is considered by many to continue to influence the Pheu Thai party, first through his sister Yingluck and now through his daughter.
Add Comment