BANGKOK ….. On Thursday, Thailand’s governing coalition agreed to support Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a 37-year-old political newcomer, as its candidate for prime minister, just one day before a crucial parliamentary vote.
This decision comes after a flurry of behind-the-scenes negotiations following a court’s dismissal of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister. Srettha’s Pheu Thai Party quickly sought support from its 11-party alliance to secure a new government formation.
Paetongtarn, the daughter of influential political figure Thaksin Shinawatra and niece of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, both of whom went into exile after military coups, represents a new chapter for the Shinawatra family in Thai politics.
The recent removal of Srettha by the Constitutional Court marks another setback for Pheu Thai, a populist party that has been at odds with Thailand’s establishment and royalist military for two decades.
If successful in the upcoming vote, Paetongtarn would become Thailand’s second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra family member to hold the position.
Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, expressed confidence in Paetongtarn’s leadership, pledging full support for her policies upon her assumption of office.
Srettha’s removal, the fourth prime ministerial ouster by court ruling for the movement, could signal the end of a fragile truce between Thaksin and the conservative elite and military, which had allowed for Thaksin’s return from exile and Srettha’s appointment as prime minister earlier this year.
The 11-party coalition, which holds 314 seats in the house (including 141 from Pheu Thai), is expected to easily elect a new prime minister on Friday, provided the alliance remains united. A candidate needs the support of over half of the 493 current lawmakers to be confirmed.
