287 MPs and senators have seconded a motion by Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, proposing the nomination of former real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin as Thailand’s next prime minister.

Cholnan’s motion came after Move Forward MPs tried to delay the prime minister’s selection process today (Tuesday), when party-list MP Rangsiman Rome asked parliament to review its decision of July 19^th, rejecting the renomination of Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat citing Rule 41 of parliamentary regulations.

Rangsiman stated that the Constitutional Court had rejected the ombudsman’s petition for the court to rule on the constitutionality of the July 19^th decision, on the basis that the petitions to the ombudsmen by three individuals, challenging the decision, were not submitted by the people directly affected by the decision.

During the ensuing debate, parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha was accused of lacking impartiality in the performance of his duty when he rejected Rangsiman’s motion, claiming that it had already been agreed by the whips of the House and Senate that the issue of Pita’s renomination had been finalised.

Wan then invoked his authority, under Section 80 of the Constitution, to reject Rangsiman’s motion so the selection of the prime minister could proceed.

At about 11am, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan proposed the nomination of Srettha as prime minister. No other candidates were proposed. His motion was approved by a combined 287 votes from MPs and senators, more than the minimum 50 votes required.

Parliament is currently engaged in debating Srettha’s qualifications, in the light of allegations by self-appointed graft buster Chuwit Kamolvisit over some shady land deals.