欧美文化:Thailand's MFP party leader Pita denied renomination to be PM

BANGKOK, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat suffered major setbacks in his bid to become the country's new prime minister on Wednesday as the parliament denied his renomination.

The Constitutional Court, on the same day, suspended him from parliament due to a disqualification case.

In its second joint sitting to pick the Southeast Asian kingdom's new prime minister, a majority in the current 748-member National Assembly voted against Pita's renomination after lengthy debates, citing the parliamentary regulation prohibiting the resubmission of a rejected motion during the same parliamentary session.

It was Pita's second failed bid to be the prime minister. He was the only candidate nominated for the post in the first joint parliamentary sitting last week but fell short of the simple majority required to be elected.

Wednesday's voting came shortly after the Constitutional Court suspended Pita as a member of parliament pending the court's ruling on his disqualification case submitted by the Election Commission, which accused Pita of violating electoral rules by owning shares in a media company at the time of registering his election candidacy for the May 14 election.

In a statement, the Constitutional Court confirmed that it had accepted the case and ordered Pita to cease his parliamentary duties immediately until a final ruling. Pita was required to explain the allegation to the court within 15 days.

According to Thai Constitutional Law, the prime minister does not necessarily have to be a member of parliament. After receiving the court letter, Pita expressed his compliance and left the parliamentary meeting before the bicameral vote rejected his renomination.

Pita said earlier that he would support candidates from the coalition partner Pheu Thai Party if he failed to get elected.

National Assembly President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha told reporters after the meeting on Wednesday that the next parliamentary vote will be held on July 27 to elect the new premier.

Thailand's Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat (C) leaves the parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, July 19, 2023. MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat suffered major setbacks in his bid to become the country's new prime minister on Wednesday as the parliament denied his renomination. (Thai Parliament/Handout via Xinhua)