Opposition parties have requested the Constitutional Court interpret the prime minister’s 8-year term in office and order a suspension of duties until a verdict is produced. The Opposition has also expressed its belief the government will not dissolve Parliament during this period due to a lack of accommodating election laws.
(ผู้ประกาศ-ROLL)
Opposition leader Chonlanan Srikaew submitted a letter to Parliament President Chuan Leekpai to be forwarded to the Constitutional Court. The letter is signed by 171 Opposition members and requests the court consider Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha’s term in office reaching 8 years.
Dr. Chonlanan said the court is requested to consider the prime minister’s end of tenure based on Section 170, Cause 2, and Section 158 of the charter. He said the letter submitted provides reasons for the request and the associated facts, noting that Gen. Prayut has been in office since 2014. The letter also refers to Section 264 of the Transitional Provision in the charter, pertaining to the end of a prime minister’s tenure. It makes arguments about the Constitutional Court’s verdicts on the prime minister’s tenure as well as the intentions of the charter itself. Furthermore, the letter asks the court to order a suspension of duty for the prime minister while a court verdict is awaited.
A Constitutional Court verdict ending the prime minister’s term would, in general, also end the terms of Cabinet ministers. However, the current charter contains provisions enabling the entire Cabinet to continue performing its duty unless afflicted with 4 conditions. These include Cabinet members being identified with prohibitive qualities under Section 198 or the prime minister being proven corrupt. A severe breach or incompliance with ethics, or wrongdoing that concerns Section 144 of the charter, are among the conditions.
Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon could reportedly perform as acting prime minister should the court order the prime minister to cease duties. Under such a scenario, Parliament will need to select a new prime minister. Failing this, the acting prime minister will be able to perform until a new Cabinet is assembled.
