Youngest Prime Minister Takes Office Amidst Political Dynasty
PUBLISHED: 16 Aug 2024 at 12:36
In a significant political shift, the House of Representatives has elected Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra as Thailand’s 31st prime minister, securing a total of 319 votes in favor, 145 against, and 27 abstentions.
The nomination, initiated by Sorawong Thiengthong, Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, was presented during a parliamentary session on Friday morning. The motion received the backing of 291 MPs despite Ms. Paetongtarn’s absence from the meeting.
Debate ensued among government and opposition MPs prior to the voting, which commenced at 11:11 AM and was officially declared at 12:34 PM.
With 493 elected representatives in the House, Ms. Paetongtarn required a simple majority of 248 votes. On Friday, 489 MPs were present for the vote.
At 37 years of age, she becomes Thailand’s youngest prime minister, following the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court due to ethical violations.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra participated in a ceremony marking the 16th anniversary of the Pheu Thai Party at its Bangkok headquarters on September 19, 2023.
Continuing the Shinawatra Legacy
Ms. Paetongtarn is the third member of the Shinawatra family to assume the role of prime minister, following her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck. Thaksin’s brother-in-law, Somchai Wongsawat, also held the position briefly in 2008. Both Thaksin and Yingluck have been in exile following military coups against their government.
Thaksin returned to Thailand in August of the previous year and received a reduced prison sentence for abuses of authority during his time in office. Notably, he did not serve any time in prison but was granted parole after a medical stay.
On Thursday, coalition partners reached a consensus to endorse Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn for the prime ministerial candidacy.
An earlier report indicated that key coalition figures convened at Thaksin’s residence to nominate Chaikasem Nitisiri, a former justice minister, for the position. However, Ms. Paetongtarn ultimately secured the necessary majority to be elected.
To assume the prime minister role, a candidate must receive support from more than half of the current 493 lawmakers, amounting to 248 votes. The 11-party coalition government collectively holds 314 seats in the House.
This latest election followed the Constitutional Court’s decision to dismiss Srettha from office based on ethical violations related to his cabinet appointments.
Opposition Stance
On Thursday, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition People’s Party, announced the party’s decision not to support the Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate.
That same day, the Democrat Party, consisting of 25 MPs, opted to abstain from the vote.
The People’s Party is essentially a rebrand of the Move Forward Party, which faced dissolution last week due to constitutional violations. Despite winning the 2023 elections, they were unable to form a government due to opposition from unelected senators. Subsequently, the Pheu Thai Party formed a new coalition and pushed the Move Forward Party into opposition.
For Friday’s vote, only MP votes were necessary to elect the new prime minister.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition People’s Party, and party members cast their votes against the Pheu Thai Party’s candidate on Friday.
