Six parties poised to announce coalition government at 10am
Six pro-democracy parties, led by Pheu Thai, are announcing their intention to form a coalition government this morning.
The number-crunchers say, even without the support of BumJaiThai and the Democrats, they have 252 house seats to form a majority government (they need at least 251 seats in the 500 seat parliament).
The parties siding with Pheu Thai to form the next Thai government are Future Forward (87 seats), Thai Liberal or Seri Ruamthai (11), Prachachat (6), New Economics (6) and Puea Chat (5).
The parties will meet to make the announcement at the Lancaster Hotel in Bangkok at 10am.
During the recent few days of horse-trading, Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai said they were willing to entertain Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai, as PM of a coalition government in exchange for his party’s support.
The support from BumJaiThai would legitimise any new government with an increased majority, but would still fall short of the 376 seats needed to choose the next PM (a decision made by both houses of parliament, including the Junta-selected 250 Senators).
On Monday, Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit laid down three conditions for joining a coalition – to rewrite the constitution, eliminate the legacy of military coups and push for military reforms to help prevent more coups in the future.
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