8 Thai parties sign pact in bid to form government

ISTANBUL

Members of an eight-party coalition in Thailand signed an agreement Monday laying out a common agenda in an effort to form the next government after winning a majority of seats in the country’s general election on May 14.

Led by the Move Forward Party (MFP), they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) consisting of 23 points on restoring democracy, including rewriting the constitution, recognizing same-sex marriages, achieving a sustainable peace in the southern border provinces and reform of the justice system.

The other parties in the coalition are Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Prachachat, Seri Ruam Thai, Pheu Thai Ruam Palang, the FAIR Party and Plung Sungkom Mai.

The MOU also emphasizes the “inviolable status” of the nation’s monarchy.

The MFP gained 152 seats in the 500-seat House of Representatives during the latest elections, and with its coalition, the number has more than doubled to 313, representing a clear majority.

However, for the election of the prime minister, a candidate requires the support of 376 lawmakers.

Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, the leader of the center-left MFP, is leading the coalition.

A joint sitting of the House of Representatives along with the 250-member Senate will pick the new prime minister.

If the coalition manages to win a majority of 376 seats in both houses of Thailand’s parliament in a process that will take at least 60 days to begin, Pita will become Thailand’s 30th prime minister in July at a joint session of parliament.

Millions of people in the country voted on May 14 to elect a new 500-seat House of Representatives, or lower house of parliament, for the next four years.

Voter turnout was recorded at about 39.5 million, or 75% of the country’s 52 million registered voters.