MFP-Led Coalition Agrees To Facilitate Timeline For Government Formation

The Thai Enquirer reports that the eight-party coalition led by the Move Forward Party (MFP) has agreed to fast-track the formation of the new government by 2-3 weeks after the Election Commission (EC) suggested that it would be able to certify election results faster than expected. This was communicated by MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who is the coalition's candidate for Prime Minister.

• Sources told the Thai Enquirer that the EC could certify at least 95% of the results by June 16. This means that if coalition parties agree on ministerial seats, the new administration could theoretically be installed by late July rather than in mid-August as planned earlier.
• Pita said that his party and Pheu Thai have not yet reached compromise over the position of House Speaker and continue negotiations on the matter. The conflict over who should nominate the lower house chief has been a key key sticking point in coalition talks.
• The MFP and its allies await the EC's decision on whether to accept complaints filed against the party and its leader. EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong said that the body has not yet decided whether there are grounds for setting up a special inquiry panel.
• Even if legal objections against the MFP's and Pita's eligibility to contest the recent election are set aside, the coalition must still secure the backing of a sufficient number of military-appointed Senators, which they have so far struggled to do.