PPRP tipped to put up 3 PM picks

PPRP tipped to put up 3 PM picks

Gen Prawit could join Prayut, one other on list

Prawit: Favoured by govt MPs
Prawit: Favoured by govt MPs

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is likely to nominate three prime ministerial candidates including its leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon in the next general election, according to a party MP.

Following the Constitutional Court ruling that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha officially began his term as prime minister in April 2017, PPRP MP for Nakhon Sawan Veerakorn Kamprakob said he believes the party will come up with three prime ministerial candidates.

In the 2019 poll, the PPRP nominated Gen Prayut as its sole candidate even though the election law allows a party to nominate up to three people.

Mr Veerakorn said both Gen Prayut and Gen Prawit will be on the party's prime ministerial candidate list as they can still appeal to voters. The other candidate is being considered.

"If voters ask who will be nominated for the prime minister, it's the three on the list. The Pheu Thai Party came up with three in the last election and no one bothered to ask who would be put up for the vote," he said.

However, he said Gen Prawit is likely to be nominated as Gen Prayut cannot serve a full four-year term. Gen Prayut may be appointed defence minister, interior minister or deputy prime minister, he said.

As a result of the court ruling, Gen Prayut could stay in office until 2025, provided he is re-elected by parliament after the general election expected to take place in the first half of next year.

Mr Veerakorn added the bonds between the trio -- Gen Prayut, Gen Prawit and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda -- remain strong.

However, Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangtong said he did not think the PPRP would nominate Gen Prayut as he cannot serve a full term and Gen Prawit, who recently served as acting prime minister, would be the party's favoured choice.

Meanwhile, chief government whip Nirote Sunthornlekha yesterday warned the opposition to tread carefully if it plans to grill Gen Prayut during a general debate.

"It is no surprise the opposition is using every mechanism to examine the government but if it wants to discuss an issue that is finalised, it should be careful not to offend the court," he said.

His remarks came after Move Forward Party list-MP Pijarn Chaopattanwong said the opposition would seek a general debate without a vote to mount a final critique of the government before the House's term ends in March next year.

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