The baton has passed from Move Forward to Pheu Thai, who are now busy talking to parties of all political persuasions, even its political enemies, in a bid to form a government.

Pheu Thai is believed to be trying to push Move Forward away from the current coalition, as its stance on the controversial lèse majesté law has proved to be a major obstacle when wooing other parties to support Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate.

Many people are wondering what, then, would happen to the MoU, which Move Forward signed with the seven other coalition parties on May 22^nd. Move Forward’s core members, including leader Pita Limjaroenrat, insist that Pheu Thai should stick to the MoU while forming the government, but other coalition members think otherwise.

Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, of the Thai Liberal Party, which won only one House seat, seems to be the most outspoken supporter of breaking the MoU. In his latest interview, he said that, now that Pheu Thai is running the negotiations to form the new government, it should have a new MoU.

“The Move Forward-led MoU should be replaced, given that its leader could not obtain enough House votes to become the prime minister and Pheu Thai is now running the show. I advise that Pheu Thai could have new MoU if it wants to.”

Whether any new MoU would have the same members as the present coalition would depend on Pheu Thai, Sereepisuth said.

The Move Forward-led MoU was signed by Move Forward, Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Prachachat, Pheu Thai Rumphlang, Seri Ruam Thai, Plung Sungkom Mai and Fair.

Chaowarit Khajohnpongkirati, leader of Plung Sungkom Mai, has proposed that the MoU should be cancelled, because Move Forward is now not forming the administration. When the coalition meets, he will propose amendment of the MoU, as he claims that all 23 policies mentioned in it are Move Forward’s ideas. Now, it is up to Pheu Thai as to whether it will stick to the present eight parties or to add or remove some parties from the coalition, he said.

The Thai Teachers for People and New parties wish to join a coalition led by Pheu Thai, Chaowarit claimed.

Pheu Thai has held talks with the present government’s parties, five of which have made it clear that they would not get involved with Move Forward, because of the controversy over the lèse majesté law.

This shook the eight-party coalition to the core, as some of them certainly want to be on the government side, not in the opposition bloc.

Those taking sides with Move Forward are Thai Sang Thai and Fair, which command a total of 158 votes, while Thai Liberation and Plung Sungkom Mai are taking sides with Pheu Thai, commanding a total of 143 votes. Pheu Thai Rumphlang (2 MPs) and Prachachat (9 MPs) are remaining quiet on their positions.

Now, parliament’s joint meeting has postponed from July 27 and there is an extra-long weekend, allowing time for the parties involved to negotiate. Therefore, we should keep a close watch for what will happen next.

by Marisa Chimprabha