Premier to be chosen from parties’ list of PM candidates

THE Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) resolved yesterday that the prime minister would be selected from lists of five candidates proposed by political parties in advance of a general election.

Udom Ratammarut,CDC spokesman, said the CDC reaffirmed its proposal, which would see a prospective PM only picked from lists proposed by political parties. And parties must hold more than five per cent of seats in the House of Represen-tatives before they are eligible to nominate an individual as their choice for premier.

However, the CDC did not confirm whether the lists would be restricted only to elected MPs.

Previously, its proposal was also open to non-MPs to be included in the list of nominees to be PM, triggering heavy public debate on the possible selection of an “outsider” prime minister.

The CDC also resolved to maintain the principle of the selection of cabinet members by a prime minister. But it added a condition that such members must have clean and ethical records, otherwise they could be disqualified.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha revealed yesterday he had already proposed inclusion of clauses concerning “civic duties” to the CDC, in the hope of keeping its ideas practical.

“[The term] democracy focuses on common duties and responsibilities,” the premier said during his weekly news briefing “It’s not only about rights and freedoms. We also have to respect laws.”

Prayut hoped initiatives would result from the CDC process and be included, if appropriate, in the upcoming charter draft.

The panel, chaired by the PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana, coordinates the government, the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). 

Its main task is to shape the reform process in accordance with the three agencies’ roles.

Prayut’s initiative came after he observed how the CDC spokesperson elaborated on principles of civil duties and people, without mentioning their duties, the retired general said.

Government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the premier wished to have ideas develop so that people could become more effective contributors toward society.

“Being concerned with only rights and freedoms could make people seem like pure recipients,” Sansern said. “The premier would like us to be both providers and recipients, according to our occupations and our status as Thai citizens.”