The reformist candidate for prime minister is suspended as a deputy

First modification: 07/19/2023 – 13:12Last modification: 07/19/2023 – 13:26

1 minute

Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday suspended reform-minded candidate for prime minister, Pita Limjaroenrat, who was submitted to a second parliamentary vote to try to be elected. In a statement, the court noted that the suspension will be in effect while he studies an accusation against him for possession of shares of a company defunct media agency, something prohibited among candidates under Thai law. The case, which may lead to your disqualification, was presented before the Constitutional Court by the Electoral Commission.

However, the leader of the progressive party that won the May elections you can still maintain your candidacy to prime minister, although he had to leave the chamber and will not be able to vote. While this decision was known, Parliament was in session to debate for the second time on Pita’s candidacy.

“I would like to say goodbye until we meet again,” the 42-year-old deputy said on camera, raising his fist as he left cheered by his colleagues. “Without a doubt I will not have enough support (in Parliament) to be appointed prime minister,” the Move Forward party leader acknowledged in a message posted on his Instagram account. “It is evident that the vote of the people is not enough to govern the country,” he added.

Last week, Pita was 51 votes short of the necessary in order to form a government.

his training won the most seats in the May electionbacked by a youth and an urban class fatigued after nearly a decade of army-backed rule.

But conservative Thai elites are suspicious of this young candidate and his commitment to reform the strict lèse majeste laws in this Southeast Asian kingdom.

Analysts consider it very difficult for Pita to reverse this rejection, especially evident among the senators elected by the army, among whom he only garnered 13 votes out of 249 possible.

(With AFP)