BANGKOK — Thailand's parliament will hold a second vote on a new prime minister on Wednesday (July 19), more than two months since the liberal Move Forward Party's surprise election triumph over rivals allied with the military.
An eight-party alliance has pledged its backing for Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, despite his defeat in the first vote on July 13.Mr Pita was unopposed but could not get the requisite backing of more than half of the bicameral legislature comprising an elected lower house and an appointed Senate.
Move Forward's anti-establishment reform agenda goes beyond that, however, targeting business monopolies and institutions long considered untouchable. There are powerful interests that stand to lose if Mr Pita succeeds. Three conservative, non-alliance parties with a combined 106 seats said on Tuesday they could not back a candidate who wants to amend Article 112.
The same court announced on the eve of the last vote that it had accepted a separate case against Move Forward over its policy on the royal insult law.He has said he would make way for partner the Pheu Thai party to nominate one of its candidates if he fails, so the alliance can still form a government.
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