Paetongtarn Shinawatra Set to Become Thailand’s Next Prime Minister
Bangkok is poised to see a significant shift in its political landscape as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is set to be nominated as the country’s new prime minister. This development follows the ousting of the previous Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, by court order due to an ethical violation.
A Coalition’s Consensus
Leaders of the 11-party coalition, led by the populist Pheu Thai party, have thrown their support behind Paetongtarn. This support was confirmed at a recent news conference where Sorawong Thienthong, Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, announced her candidacy. In response, Paetongtarn expressed her gratitude and readiness to guide Thailand through its current economic challenges. “I have confidence in Pheu Thai and all government coalition parties to bring our country out of the economic crisis,” she stated.
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Paetongtarn’s potential ascension marks a historic moment for Thailand. If confirmed, she would be the second woman and the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the office. Her father, Thaksin, was a trailblazer in Thai politics, being the first to secure an overall majority in Parliament. His legacy continues to influence the political sphere, with Paetongtarn poised to carry forward the Shinawatra influence.
Srettha Thavisin’s Ouster
The sudden removal of Srettha Thavisin, who had been in office for less than a year, came as a shock to many. The Constitutional Court found him guilty of a serious ethical breach related to the appointment of a Cabinet member involved in an alleged bribery attempt. While Paetongtarn expressed respect for Srettha, she emphasized the need for the country to move forward despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his departure.
This latest shake-up is the second significant court ruling to impact Thai politics in recent weeks. Just days before, the same court dissolved the progressive Move Forward party, the main opposition force that had won last year’s general election. The party was accused of violating the constitution by proposing an amendment to Thailand’s strict royal defamation law. Despite this setback, the former members of Move Forward have regrouped under the banner of the People’s Party.
The Path Forward
Pheu Thai finished second in last year’s elections but was granted the opportunity to form a government after the Move Forward party was blocked from power by the military-appointed Senate. This maneuver, while controversial, allowed Pheu Thai to forge a coalition with parties previously aligned with the military-backed government that ousted them in a coup. Despite criticism from some of their supporters, Pheu Thai’s leaders maintain that the decision was necessary to break the political deadlock and foster national reconciliation.
The constitution adopted in 2017 under the military regime granted the Senate special powers to veto prime ministerial candidates. However, these powers expired when the Senate’s term ended in May. The newly selected members of the Senate no longer have the veto power, meaning a candidate now requires only a majority from the lower house, or at least 247 votes, to be confirmed as Prime Minister.
Challenges Ahead
While Pheu Thai’s coalition has endorsed Paetongtarn’s candidacy, there are divisions within the alliance, particularly concerning the royal defamation law, known as Article 112. This law, which carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison, has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it is used to stifle political dissent. Although Pheu Thai raised the issue during the election campaign, they have since distanced themselves from it.
As the parliamentary vote approaches, the People’s Party has declared it will not support Paetongtarn’s candidacy. Despite this, Paetongtarn and her coalition remain focused on steering Thailand through its political and economic challenges.
