CDC's new political system slammed

The new political system proposed by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) is being slammed by critics who say it is only another way to destroy large parties and extend the tenure of General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. 

Prayut, however, yesterday rejected claims that the CDC was writing a charter that would allow him to stay in power or allow a non-MP to become prime minister. 

He also ridiculed politicians who accused the charter drafters of trying to help him hang on to his post, saying they were only “indulging their imaginations”, adding that the CDC was not that foolish. 

The PM also insisted that he would not change the time frame of the National Council for Peace and Order’s “road map to democracy” just so he could stay in power longer. 

He also thanked Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda for encouraging him to continue working in the country’s top executive post. 

Prem on Monday lauded Prayut for staging the May 22 coup, saying he had helped bring peace and order back to the country. The statesman was also quoted as saying that Prayut was not a bureaucrat, so he did not need to retire. 

Meanwhile, National Reform Council (NRC) member Direk Teungfung voiced concern that the four new political systems proposed by the CDC would weaken democracy and deprive people of power. 

 

‘May open door to more conflicts’

The four issues are having an non-elected prime minister; having 200 or almost half of the members of the House of Representatives as party-list MPs, leaving only 250 representing constituencies; not requiring MPs to be under the banner of a political party; and having 200 indirectly elected senators. 

Direk said he feared the new political system might give rise to more political conflicts resulting in stronger opposition and more coups. 

“Please don’t invent more bizarre systems. Many people see these four principles as moves to destroy a party system and to sabotage big parties. It is as if the charter drafters are afraid of ghosts or fear that the previous group of politicians will return to power. The NRC will dissect these principles, once we receive the draft,” he said.

Worachai Hema, former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan, agreed that this political system might indeed spark another round of political conflict. He also strongly opposed the idea of a non-elected prime minister and granting too much power to senators who are not directly elected. 

“Most people would not accept a Senate that is given the right to screen Cabinet candidates. If the senators are directly elected, then it’s a different matter,” he said. 

He also said the new system would only lead to political instability because it aimed to destroy the party system. 

“This charter would be even less democratic than the 2007 Constitution. Also, this charter aims to extend the current government’s tenure, because if it is rejected in a public referendum, we will be back to square one of re-establishing the NRC and rewriting the charter. In that case, the interim charter will still be in place,” he said.