Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul declared this morning he is pressing ahead in forming a new coalition government despite the move by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to have the House of Representatives dissolved.
Anutin confirmed that he and representatives of a group of political parties and factions have signed an agreement to form a coalition, committing to dissolve the House within four months after presenting its policy statement to Parliament.
Joining hands with Bhumjaithai include parties and factions that have broken away from the caretaker Pheu Thai-led coalition.
Altogether they will have only 146 MPs in the House, which means they will be running a minority government.
Kla Tham Party, which was formerly allied with Pheu Thai, would be the second biggest party in the newly-formed coalition.
Its other partners include renegades from Palang Pracharath, United Thai Nation, Thai Srang Thai and Democrat parties.
While supporting Anutin’s nomination as prime minister, the People’s Party, which has 143 MPs, will not join the coalition. It will continue to play the role of the opposition in the House.
The agreement signed this morning during a news conference also requires Anutin and his government to hold a national referendum on a comprehensive amendment to the Constitution.
Anutin’s press conference came just less than hour after acting Prime Minister Phumtham told reporters at the Government House that he has sought consent from HM the King to have the House dissolved.
“Our current democratic system has been distorted,” he said of the competition between his Pheu Thai Party and Bhumjaithai Party for the premiership with the People’s Party acting as a king-maker.
He said Bhumjaithai Party will end up leading a minority government since the People’s Party will not be part of the coalition. He said it would lack stability and affect people’s confidence in the country.
“So, we believe it’s in the country’s interest to return the power to the people,” he said of his party’s decision to have the House dissolved to pave the way for a snap general election.
He said he submitted a request with HM the King on Tuesday night for his consent to dissolve the House. Under the Constitution, dissolving the House is a royal prerogative.
