The Pheu Thai party will demand 14 cabinet seats and the House speakership in talks with the Move Forward party. Failing that, both parties will review their positions.
The Move Forward party would get 14 cabinet seats plus the prime minister’s post.
This stance was unilaterally agreed upon at a meeting today (Tuesday) of the Pheu Thai party’s executive committee and MPs. It will be presented at a meeting of the negotiating teams of the two parties tomorrow.
Pheu Thai party leader Chonlanan Srikaew said today that their negotiating team will insist on the 14+1 formula.
Deputy party leader Chousak Sirinil said that the House speakership is an important post in supervising and regulating the performance of MPs in parliament and the Speaker must be resourceful, impartial and recognised by all parties concerned.
Since the Move Forward party will get the prime minister’s post, it is fair for the Pheu Thai party to be given the House speakership, said Chousak, adding that the negotiating team must adhere to this principle.
Phumtham Wechayachai, another deputy leader, said that the stance is not an official party resolution, but is the consensus of the party’s executive committee and MPs.
He said that the 14+1 formula should be the starting point of the talks between the negotiating teams, adding that, if the teams cannot settle on this formula, they should go back to reconsider their positions.
He said there is, however, time to settle the Speaker matter before the House meets on July 4th to choose the House speaker and two deputies. He added that he is optimistic that this contentious issue can be resolved amicably tomorrow.
