The tussle between the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties over the House speakership is expected to be settled before the House of Representatives meets for the first time, scheduled for July 4^th, to vote for the speaker and two deputy speakers, Pheu Thai party leader Chonlanan Srikaew said today (Thursday).

While admitting that there are several Pheu Thai PMs, including party-list MP Adisorn Piengket, who oppose surrendering the House speakership to the Move Forward party, Chonlanan said that, once the party has adopted a resolution on the matter, he expects all Pheu Thai MPs to respect and comply with it.

Regarding the report that some dissident MPs may abstain from voting on the House speakership, the Pheu Thai party leader said that MPs have the right to self-expression in accordance with the Constitution, but he also reminded them that, in a political party system, MPs are obliged to accept the view or decision of the majority.

He also said that the party cannot prevent any of its MPs from proposing an alternative candidate for speakership, such as Suchart Tancharoen, to stand against the Move Forward party candidate.

He noted, however, that the party’s principle is that all party members must follow the party’s resolutions, adding that the party is yet to adopt a resolution on the House speakership.

Commenting on the recent remark by Prachachart party leader Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, that the party should be given one of the two deputy House speaker posts, Chonlanan pointed out that the Prachachart party only has nine MPs, compared to Move Forward’s 151 MPs and Pheu Thai’s 141 MPs.

He suggested that the Prachachart party should discuss the matter directly with Move Forward.