A proposal to allow the appointment of a non-elected prime minister would be used only to defuse "political crises", Constitution Drafting Committee spokesman Lertrat Rattanawanich said yesterday.
"The real intention of this proposal is opening a channel to end political crises," he said. "It is impossible to have a non-MP prime minister if the political situation remains stable."
Gen Lertrat conceded that the plan needed better explanation following a major backlash from politicians and members of the public. But he said the CDC would set clear conditions on the use of the unconventional provision, including restrictions on term length and a requirement for Lower House approval.
Support from MPs should be "higher than a simple majority" for the appointed premier, whose term would be limited to less than eight months, Gen Lertrat said.
He said the CDC needed to explain the plan more clearly to dispel claims that it was operating with a hidden agenda. He also said it was important that a premier chosen under this method be screened carefully because "not everyone can be chosen".
Gen Lertrat's comments came after key figures from the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties savaged the CDC's proposal, which they decried as undemocratic.
The proposal was put forward by CDC members responsible for gathering ideas on political reform. The members are preparing to forward their proposals to a sub-committee, chaired by Kanchanarat Liwirot, which is drawing up a new permanent constitution.
Ms Kanchanarat's group has until Jan 11 to present its work to a CDC session chaired by committee chairman Bowornsak Uwano, Gen Lertrat said. The CDC will then send the final version of the draft charter to the National Reform Council for approval. However, progress has proven slow because some CDC proposals have stirred intense debate.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was worried the controversial proposal to allow the appointment of non-elected prime ministers would be a setback for democracy. He said past political problems "did not result from the system but from individual people".
His concerns were echoed by Democrat Party deputy spokesman Ramet Ratana, who was sceptical that a prime minister appointed under the special provision would be well connected with the people.
Key Pheu Thai Party member Noppadon Pattama also questioned the proposal, saying it would affect the checks and balances system.
"Since he or she comes alone, without MP status or membership of a political party, their political responsibility will decrease," Mr Noppadon said. "We already have ways of solving political deadlocks — dissolve the House and call an election."