The Pheu Thai party will nominate Srettha Thavisin as a prime ministerial candidate in parliament, if Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat fails again to get his candidacy approved by the joint sitting of tomorrow (Wednesday), Paetongtarn Shinawatra said Tuesday.
However, that the party’s executive committee will have to meet to make a decision after the sitting tomorrow, adding that the party will proceed step by step, so as not to cause public confusion.
She said that she supports Srettha, a former real estate tycoon, because he is the most suitable of the party’s three candidates, given his background in economics.
Paetongtarn, who is also one of the party’s three prime ministerial candidates, told the media today that she has not considered whether she would accept a cabinet post if her party takes the lead in forming the government.
Asked about senators’ reservations over the Move Forward party being in the government, Paetongtarn sidestepped the question, saying that she has no duty to respond. She also refused to comment when asked if Pheu Thai is now at the core in forming the government and if Pita’s party is still in the coalition.
Let’s us go one step at a time, she said.
Last week, Pita failed to obtain enough parliamentary votes to support his candidacy for the premiership, mainly because of his party’s position on amending the lèse-majesté law.
Pita vowed to keep fighting for his re-nomination, scheduled for Wednesday. He said on Monday, however, that, if he fails in the second round, he would step down and let Pheu Thai, the second coalition party in terms of seats in the House, to nominate its candidate and form the government.
Paetongtarn said, “Let’s see what happens. I wish Khun Pita to make his utmost effort first”.
The House speaker also sought legal advice as to whether Pita could be re-nominated, as it may violate parliamentary regulations which prohibit the submission of a repeat motion in a single parliamentary session.
Pita’s political future is at stake tomorrow, not only because of the re-nomination. The Constitutional Court is due to meet to consider whether to accept the Election Commission’s petition to rule on the parliamentary status of Pita.
Pita is accused of holding 42,000 shares in iTV, a media company, at the time he registered his electoral candidacy, which is a violation of the Constitution.
If the Court agrees to accept the case, after being convinced that the accusation has grounds, it can issue an injunction to stop Pita from performing his duty as an MP until it rules on the case.
