Abhisit to lead censure debate, Speaker says
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Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will lead the censure debate as he remains the opposition leader, House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont said yesterday.
Abhisit’s job credentials are being questioned after the Defence Ministry revised his resignation from military service in 1989 to a dismissal because of the alleged use of false documents to apply for the job.
“The Abhisit case involves several agencies and I think it is inappropriate to draw a hasty conclusion before a definite ruling by relevant authorities,” Somsak said.
He said he would wait to see whether under the charter provisions Abhisit’s dismissal would have an impact on his seat in the House of Representatives before deciding the next move.
Somsak said he had no objection to naming Abhisit as an alternative candidate for the position of prime minister, since the opposition leader must assume power should the government fail to win the censure vote.
Democrat MP Thaworn Senneam said Abhisit moved to seek separate reviews by the Administrative Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission of his dismissal.
The upcoming reviews would address whether Defence Minister Sukampol Suwanna-that had abused his power in faulting Abhisit, Thaworn said.
“The issue about Abhisit’s military service has to be resolved before moving to the next step in settling his qualifications in the legislature, which will eventually be addressed by the Constitution Court,” he said.
He said he disagreed with Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, who voiced the view that Abhisit could not seek an Administrative Court review.
He went on to point out that Abhisit was no longer in military service, hence he was not obliged to observe the military disciplinary code.
An active soldier is not entitled to seek an administrative review and has to resolve any issues through military channels prescribed by the code.
Coalition chief whip Udomdej Rattanasatien said the House censure debate would last two days – November 25 and 26. The vote will take place on the morning of November 27.
The Senate will that afternoon hold a general debate without a vote on the government’s performance.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is expected to be present to face the opposition grilling.
The coalition voiced confidence about defeating the no-confidence motion.
It also shrugged off the Pitak Siam rally, scheduled for November 24, ruling out any link between the planned protest and the upcoming censure debate.
