The New Economics party has formally withdrawn from the Opposition to go independent in a much anticipated move.

The party’s executive committee, chaired by acting party leader Mr. Supadit Arkartruek, resolved at a meeting on Thursday to leave the opposition alliance “to go independent in pursuance of its own political aspirations”, said the party in its written notification to opposition leader Mr. Sompong Amornvivat, leader of the Pheu Thai party.

The New Economics party holds six party-list MP seats in the House.

The party has been a reluctant member of the Opposition since Mr. Mingkwan Saengsuwan, founder and leader, quit his post in May last year, saying that he had fulfilled his mission and his post had been taken over by Mr. Supadit, the deputy leader who then became the acting party leader.

The resignation of Mr. Mingkwan, as well as the executive committee, has effectively freed the new leadership of the obligation, made by Mr. Mingkwan, to toe the opposition line.