The Move Forward Party said today that the political forces that prevented them from forming a government owed an apology to the public.
Party Sec-Gen Chaitawat Tulathon said at a morning news conference that the party would leave the eight-party coalition it heads if pro-military parties were brought into it such as Palang Pracharath or Thai Ruam Sang Chart, which along with most of the unelected senate opposed the elevation of Pita Limjaroenrat to the premiership despite winning a strong mandate to rule.
“The coordinated factions, including the conservative and progressive sides, must apologize to the people and acknowledge directly that they did not allow Move Forward to lead the government,” Chaitawat said.
He said a broad array of restrictions and obstacles imposed by the conservative powers-that-be stopped them from forming a government led by Move Forward, which is viewed as a threat to the power status quo.
“The situation has been unfavorable as everything, including financial restrictions and various institutions and agencies, prevented Kao Klai (Move Forward) from leading the formation by using Article 112 to smear its reputation,” Chaitawat said, referring to the royal insult law the party campaigned on repealing, a topic its opponents seized on in debate over Pita’s qualifications.
Move Forward surprised the old guard with its first-place showing in May’s election. Earlier this month, Pita did not receive enough votes to win the prime minister post, largely due to opposition from the unelected, military-appointed senate. A second vote that had been scheduled for Wednesday fell apart under parliamentary procedure hours after the Constitutional Court suspended Pita from his duties pending the outcome of its review of his eligibility as requested by the Election Commission.
Chaitawat acknowledged the institutional forces arrayed against the party.
“Furthermore, there were movements through the Election Commission and the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Move Forward Party,” he added.
Chaitawat said that despite Pita failing to become the next prime minister, their main objective remained the same – forming a new government that will restore democracy and put an end to the military’s domination of political life.
He said Move Forward will choose a candidate from coalition partner Pheu Thai Party, which placed second in May’s election. Although Pheu Thai fielded three prime minister candidates – a real estate developer, the daughter of Pheu Thai founder Thaksin Shinawatra, and a former attorney general – speculation has focused on Srettha Thavisin, chief executive of property developer Sansiri.
Public protests have been called this evening starting at 5pm at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument.
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