MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat told a press conference last night (July 3) that both parties agreed on Mr Wan Muhammad Nor to be chosen as the House speaker today. MFP would have the first deputy House speaker’s seat and Pheu Thai the second deputy’s, reports the Bangkok Post.
He said that the six other coalition allies supported the decision. Prachachat is among the allies.
“This agreement is for unity among the eight political parties, who will do their best to nominate me as the prime minister,” Mr Pita said.
He said the eight coalition allies would support him as their sole prime ministerial candidate.
He also said MFP and Pheu Thai would amend laws to pardon people prosecuted for expressing their political opinions and to reform laws concerning the armed forces, including those concerning martial law and internal security.
Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said he proposed Mr Wan Muhammad Nor as the House speaker because the Prachachat leader was neutral and the proposal was a means for coalition allies to proceed with their government formation.
Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said his party would not nominate any of its members to compete for the House speaker’s seat, and other coalition parties would not have the right to nominate a Pheu Thai member for the job either.
Previously MFP actively promoted Phitsanulok MP Padipat Sunthiphada as its House speaker candidate. MFP and Pheu Thai failed to reach an agreement on the speaker’s post on Sunday amid rumours Pheu Thai wanted its veteran member Suchart Tancharoen in the position.
In recent days Pheu Thai had stood firm that it deserved the speaker’s seat because MFP already had the prime minister’s position. Each party was to have 14 cabinet ministers.
Move Forward won 151 House seats in the May 14 general election while Pheu Thai had 141 seats.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Wan Muhammad Nor said he had not wanted the speaker’s position but if his assumption of the post could ensure coalition allies’ government formation, he would be willing to take it.
He was previously a member of Pheu Thai from 2012 to 2018.
HM King opens parliament
Meanwhile, His Majesty the King opened the new parliament last night and encouraged members to have conscience, wisdom and honesty for the public interest and prosperity.
His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, stood before attendees including members of parliament and members of the caretaker government. They sang the royal anthem for Their Majesties the King and Queen at both their arrival at and departure from the parliament.
During the opening ceremony, His Majesty the King advised members of the parliament to always be aware they were representatives of people throughout the country to pass laws for the government to use in national administration.
“How the nation will prosper depends on your conscience, wisdom, abilities, honesty and purity in your work based most importantly on the interest of the nation and the public. If all of you are always aware of this, you can successfully perform duties that are truly for the prosperity of people and the nation,” His Majesty the King said.