Amid political turmoil, Anutin Charnvirakul, president of Thailand’s second-largest political party, the Bhumjaithai Party, has become the country’s new prime minister. On Friday, he was elected by members of parliament.
According to a report by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, Anutin’s main rival in the race for prime minister was Chikasem Nitishiri, a senior and influential leader of Thailand’s largest political party, Pheu Thai Party. However, the majority of MPs voted in favor of Anutin.
The House of Representatives in Thailand has a total of 492 seats. To secure victory, 58-year-old Anutin needed at least 247 votes. Reviewing the result, it was found that 311 MPs voted in his favor.
On August 29, former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra lost power following a ruling by Thailand’s Constitutional Court, which found her guilty of violating ethics. Paetongtarn, the youngest person ever elected as Thailand’s prime minister, was removed from office just one year into her tenure.
With Friday’s parliamentary vote, Anutin Charnvirakul has succeeded the ousted Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
It should be noted that the Pheu Thai Party is Thailand’s largest political party and is controlled mainly by the Shinawatra family. Paetongtarn is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Last year, the Bhumjaithai Party had formed an alliance with the Pheu Thai Party. After their election victory, Paetongtarn became prime minister, and Anutin was appointed deputy prime minister.
However, in June, Paetongtarn’s government came under heavy criticism after a leaked phone conversation between her and Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen was made public. Following this scandal, the Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn from office. In the wake of the incident, the Bhumjaithai Party, led by Anutin, left the coalition.
In Friday’s vote, Thailand’s main opposition, the People’s Party, supported Anutin Charnvirakul. Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, one of the party’s MPs said:
“Anutin has promised us that within the next four months, he will dissolve parliament and arrange new elections. That is why we supported him. If he fails to keep his promise, the People’s Party will withdraw its support.”
