Abhisit wants longer Parliament session

In light of an anti-government rally led by the Pitak Siam group coinciding with the censure debate, Abhisit was asked whether he still believes the no-confidence debate will definitely be held on Sunday through Tuesday. “Parliament has already endorsed the censure motion and the government has insisted it will not run away. But if the anti-government rally escalates, I would like to call on the government to extend the Parliament session,’’ he said.

 

This weekend, the Yingluck government faces not just two but three battle fronts: the censure motion; the anti-government rally headed by General Boonlert Kaewprasit, who has vowed to mobilise thousands of protesters to oust the government, which he accuses of being a corrupt failure; and the Senate’s general debate against the Cabinet – without voting – either on Saturday or after the no-confidence vote on Wednesday.

 

The Senate has already called on the government to extend the current Parliament session so that it can have more time to hold its general debate, reasoning that the government should let problems facing the country be solved in Parliament and not through street protests.

 

Abhisit said the Opposition has prepared a team of 30 MPs to grill three ministers each day, while the PM will face two days of attack. The subjects of the debate have been well organised in accordance with government policies, he said, adding that he had strongly advised his team not to touch on other topics, otherwise government MPs may resort to delaying the debate by exercising their rights to answer the allegations.

 

Addressing concerns that the government may raise the subject of his qualifications as an MP over his retroactive dismissal as a military reservist by the Defence Ministry, Abhisit said: “The matter has already been lodged at the Constitution Court. As long as the court has not ruled, I am still qualified. I insist that the ministry’s dismissal order against me is unlawful and I have already filed a suit with the Administrative Court and the National Counter Corruption Commission over the matter,’’ he said.

 

Meanwhile, Defence Minister General Sukampol Suwannathat has instructed ministry officials to prepare information to help him rebut allegations by the Opposition, Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng said.

 

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont was optimistic that the no-confidence debate would proceed without disruption by the anti-government rally, since the protest leader has given his word not to storm the Parliament premises. However, Parliament security officials have been instructed to take extra caution to prevent any trespassing. “I am confident of maintaining control and preventing political turmoil. I ask everyone to strictly follow Parliament’s directives,’’ he said.