Lese majeste stance could sink Dems' PM votePita LimjaroenratThe Democrat Party are mulling over whether its members should elect Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister and whether any support should be conditional based on how the lese majeste law is to be handled. Chanin Rungsaeng, a former Democrat executive, said party members would have no problem electing Mr Pita as prime minister so long as the MFP promises not to abolish the lese majeste law. However, the MFP must give its word not to repeal Section 112 of the Criminal Code -- the lese majeste law. It might thwart what he sees as the Senate's illegitimate exercise of power to co-elect Mr Pita as prime minister. Alongkorn Ponlaboot, acting Democrat deputy leader, said he'd ask the party at its meeting next week to unconditionally support Mr Pita for the premiership.

Source: Bangkok Post May 18, 2023 02:03 UTC