A group of Move Forward MPs will propose a motion to parliament this afternoon to revoke an article in the Constitution which allows senators to vote for a prime minister, said Pukkamon Noonanant, party deputy spokeswoman on Friday.
She said the submission of the motion to strip the power allocated by Article 272 will be at 3pm.
Earlier Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a key member of the Progressive Movement, a think tank of Move Forward, has suggested that the party consider assuming the role of the opposition, if its attempt to amend Article 272 fails.
He said he believes that the senators who oppose Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s prime ministerial candidacy will not change their minds, no matter how many times parliament sits to select the prime minister, unless “there is new information or a new signal” to force them to change their minds or there are mass protests to pressure them.
Even if the Move Forward tries to persuade more parties to join the eight-party alliance, Piyabutr said he doubts that any of them, such as Bhumjaithai, the Democrats or Chartthaipattana, will join because they are against amending the lèse majesté law.
He also doubts that senators will vote in support of a prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai party, if the Move Forward party decides to withdraw Pita’s candidacy to allow Pheu Thai to take the lead, because the senators do not want the Move Forward party in government.
He voiced his support for an attempt to amend the Constitution, to strip senators of the power to select the prime minister, saying that the party cannot just keep renominating Pita without exploring other options, “at least to show people that the party has tried its utmost to respect the wishes of the 27 million voters for the coalition parties.
