MFP-Led Coalition Parties Hold Meeting Over House Speakership

The eight parties forming a coalition led by Move Forward were scheduled to meet in the headquarters of the Prachachat Party at 14:30 local time to try and break the deadlock over the nomination of their candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives. It is worth keeping an eye for any headlines from the meeting, as the issue has become a key bone of contention within the emerging coalition.

• Pheu Thai Party continues to insist that the Speaker should come from its ranks as Move Forward Party's leader Pita Limjaroenrat is the coalition's candidate for Prime Minister. Move Forward, who won the most seats in the general election, want House Speakership for themselves, arguing that it would allow them to proceed with their ambitious legislative agenda.
• The post could still be handed to one of the smaller parties in a bid to find compromise. Thai Liberal Party leader Sereepisuth Temeeyaves recently suggested that Prachachart leader Wan Muhamad Noor Matha should become House Speaker.
• Over the weekend, Move Forward Secretary General Chaithawat Tulathong said that there are other issues still to be discussed by coalition parties, including the allocation of ministerial portfolios and potential invitations for outsiders to join the government.
• It remains uncertain whether the coalition will be able to take power, as the consent of some military-appointed Senators is needed to install Pita as Prime Minister. A recent Suan Dusit Poll showed that 68% of Thais were worried that the Move Forward Party won't able to form government.