Thailand’s parliament has chosen Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party as the country’s new prime minister, ending weeks of political uncertainty—www.naijnaira.com reports.
The vote followed the dramatic removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra by the Constitutional Court after a ruling that she violated ministerial ethics, Al Jazeera reported.
Anutin, who once supported the Shinawatra-led coalition, turned against it this year over her handling of a tense border issue with Cambodia.
Lawmakers handed him a clear victory, with 311 votes out of 492, far above the required 247 needed for a majority.
His rival, Chaikasem Nitisiri of Pheu Thai, secured 152 votes, while 27 members abstained.
Support from the liberal People’s Party proved decisive, secured by Anutin’s pledge to hold fresh elections within four months.
“On all the pending policies, we will return to finish the job for all the Thai people,” Pheu Thai later declared, promising to fight back from the opposition benches.
Anutin, 58, will formally take office after receiving endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The result is another setback for the Shinawatra dynasty, long a dominant force in Thai politics.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the clan’s patriarch, left Thailand for Dubai just hours before the parliamentary vote.
The Supreme Court is set to rule Tuesday on a case tied to his hospital stay, which may determine whether his early release from prison last year was lawful.
Thaksin has pledged online that he will face the court in person.
Article updated 4 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
