None of 111 banned politicians will become next PM, says Chalerm
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Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung rejected the possibility that a member of the "House Number 111" group of banned politicians would become premier after the five-year prohibition is lifted in May.
The 111 banned members of the defunct Thai Rak Thai party “are all capable”, he said. “But how would they become MPs? Who will resign [to make way] for them? However, the decision to appoint any of them ministers is the prime minister’s. I can’t comment on that.”
It would also be unreasonable for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to dissolve the House of Representatives just to facilitate their entry to Parliament, he said.
On amending the Constitution, Chalerm said that while he realised the Pheu Thai Party had made it a policy priority, the government had only been in power for four months. It was for the majority to decide, he said.
Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that he agreed with the Election Commission (EC) chairman’s idea of holding a referendum on Constitution amendments, either before or after changes are drafted.
However, he said, Article 190 had already been changed once to suit the work of the administrative branch of government. Any new change would need a good reason. Article 190 concerns the requirement that parliamentary approval be obtained before the government makes any agreement with a foreign country.
EC chairman Apichart Sukhagga-nond yesterdayon Friday suggested holding a referendum on whether the Constitution should be amended before the drafting process begins.
“I believe a referendum should be held on the issue,” he said, voicing concern that changing the charter without consulting the people could trigger political turmoil.
Apichart said he did not want to comment on specific charter amendments, including a proposal to curb the mandate of independent organisations. He urged parties concerned to put public before vested interests.
EC member Sodsri Satayathum said a referendum on charter change, if held, would be the first one organised under the Constitution. Previous referenda were held under provisions of the suspended 1997 charter.
Sodsri said a referendum could ask voters to approve or reject an amended charter in its entirety, or to vote on specific provisions.
A referendum could end the quarrel between proponents and opponents of charter change, she said, adding that all sides should factor in anticipated consequences of charter amendments before drawing their conclusions.
For example, a rewrite of Article 309 might have an impact on judicial decisions involving Thaksin Shina-watra, she said. If the change were successful and helped Thaksin, this would likely lead to a rekindling of the conflict centred on the former PM, further polarising society, she said.
Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silapa-archa said yesterday on Friday the government should initiate and lead the charter-rewriting process within the current House session.
“The government should sponsor the motion to amend the charter,” he said.
Chumpol disagreed with the idea of postponing the rewrite until August, as draft amendments would take eight to 12 months to complete.
He suggested the government nominate a respected figure to head the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) to boost confidence in the rewriting process and make it more credible. The formation of the CDA to take charge of charter change would be the best option and acceptable to all sides, Chumpol said.
“Charter change will not fuel political conflict if the government makes it clear that the change is not meant to help Thaksin,” he said.
He said his party would support charter amendments related to the repealing of punishment by party dissolution, the senatorial nomination process and independent organisations.
Chart Thai Pattana adviser Somsak Prissanananthakul also called on the government to speed up the charter change, arguing that the Constitution was spawned by the 2006 coup.
Meanwhile, the former chairman of the National Legislative Assembly, Prasong Soonsiri, said he believed those supporting charter change did so not for the benefits of the majority of Thais but solely for the benefit of politicians.
