'Court can resolve row over NLA's authority'
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Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday that the dispute over whether the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has the authority to impeach politicians could only be resolved by a Constitutional Court ruling.
Wissanu, who had a hand in writing the 2014 Provisional Constitution, said he realised that this issue could give rise to conflict. He went on to say that he intentionally did not specify the NLA’s authority in relation to impeachment cases in the interim charter because it would have required too many Articles, which would have led to more disputes.
“So, I left the problem to other agencies. If any argument occurs, the Constitutional Court will be the one making a final decision,” he said.
The dispute over whether the NLA has the power to impeach politicians rose because this point is not clearly stated in the interim charter. However, a regulation draft that the NLA passed later gives the assembly the power to impeach politicians.
High-profile politicians targeted for impeachment include former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranond and former Parliament vice president Nikom Wairatpanich.
Wissanu said it was up to the NLA if it wants to consider impeachment cases forwarded by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
As for whether it was lawful to pursue an impeachment case based on a dissolved law against an individual no longer in office, Wissanu said this was also up to the NLA. Those affected can take a case to the Constitutional Court if they disagree with the NLA’s decision, he added
