A key government and red-shirt figure has announced the names of "suspected" candidates for a potential interim prime minister in an apparent move to block their appointment to take the place of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is facing prosecution.
Palakorn Suwannarat is named as top neural PM candidate by red-shirts. (File photo)
The announcement of the interim prime minister candidates' names also highlighted the deep concern of the government and the red-shirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) over any such political move.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Nattawut Saikuar, who is caretaker deputy commerce minister and UDD secretary-general, claimed the most likely candidate for the role of interim prime minister was Privy Councillor Palakorn Suwannarat, followed by Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, former defence minister and army chief, and former premier Anand Panyarachun.
Mr Nattawut said other possible nominees could be MR Pridiyathorn Devakula and Somkid Jatusripitak. Both are former deputy prime ministers and finance ministers.
Surakiart Sathirathai, former deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, Arsa Sarasin, former permanent secretary for foreign affairs and foreign minister, and Vikrom Kromadit, founder of Amata Corporation, could also be dark horses for the nomination.
Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha could also be the interim premier if there is a coup d’etat, Mr Nattawut said.
Many critics have called for the resignation of Ms Yingluck to pave the way for national and political reforms as she and her government are facing legal action for alleged legal violations in a number of cases.
These cases include illegal attempts to amend the constitution for political gain and for her role in the controversial rice-pledging scheme.
Opponents also expect Ms Yingluck to cease her duties as prime minister as required by law if the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) decides to impeach her for dereliction of duty in the rice-pledging scheme in the near future.
The independent anti-graft organisation is now waiting for her to defend herself against its findings over her role in the scheme.
Political analysts believe the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is expecting independent organisations including the NACC and the Constitutional Court to rule that the Yingluck government should end its tenure, which they believe will lead to a political vacuum justifying the exercise of Section 7 of the constitution to pave the way for the appointment of an interim prime minister.
PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday that Mr Nattawut came up with the the names of the potential candidates for interim premier apparently to discourage them from joining the PDRC’s movement to achieve national reform before the next election.
Surapong Tovichakchaikul, caretaker deputy prime minister and foreign minister, said he opposed any plan for an interim prime minister to replace Ms Yingluck.
He said the appointment of any premier who was not an MP would violate the constitution, would be anti-democratic and could lead to national unrest.
Key figures in other political parties echoed his stance. Anuthin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, said yesterday the unconstitutional appointment of an interim prime minister would challenge the existence of political parties.
Banharn Silpa-archa, chief adviser of the Chartthaipattana Party, said no one would dare to become interim prime minister under the present circumstances because the appointment would certainly lead to violence.
Political activist Suriyasai Katasila, who is a PDRC co-leader, said yesterday that if the NACC rules in the near future that some MPs and senators violated the constitution by trying to amend it to change the composition of the Senate to make it fully elected, about 50 senators must cease performing their duties.