"Anutin, who is leader of the conservative Bhumjaithai party and perhaps best known for championing medical cannabis legalisation, has received the backing of MPs from the main opposition party People's party to form an interim government, provided he signs an agreement laid out by its leaders. The People's party said its lawmakers would supply the votes needed for Anutin to become prime minister, as long as he agrees to dissolve parliament within four months and commits to changing Thailand's constitution, possibly through holding a referendum a step the People's party hopes will make the country's system more democratic. The People's party will not join his government."
"Thailand's politics was thrown into chaos last week when the constitutional court removed former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, saying she had violated ethical rules during her handling of a border dispute. Paetongtarn, the daughter of the billionaire former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, had been in office for only a year. Thailand's constitutional court has frequently intervened in politics, dissolving popular parties and banning leaders."
"Separately on Wednesday, Pheu Thai, the party of the embattled Shinawatras, told local media it had submitted a request to the king for parliament to be dissolved, paving the way for elections. However, it was unclear whether lawmakers in the current caretaker government have the authority to do so, or how quickly this could happen. A vote for a new prime minister could be held in parliament as early as Friday. The People's party has emerged as kingmaker in the recent negotiations, and both Bhumjaithai and the Pheu Thai party had raced to secure its support."
Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the conservative Bhumjaithai party and known for championing medical cannabis legalisation, has received backing from MPs of the People's party to form an interim government if he signs their agreement. The People's party will provide votes only if Anutin agrees to dissolve parliament within four months and commits to constitutional change, possibly via a referendum, but will not join his government. The constitutional court removed former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for ethical violations after one year in office. Pheu Thai has asked the king to dissolve parliament, but caretaker authority and timing remain unclear; a parliamentary vote for a new prime minister could occur as early as Friday.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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