Pheu Thai Proposes Third-Party Candidate As House Speaker Talks Stall

The Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai have failed to reach agreement over who should take the House Speaker position as the final countdown for the opening of parliament has started. The House of Representatives is set to convene today, with the House Speaker vote expected tomorrow.

• Following futile last-minute negotiations between the two parties, local media reported that Pheu Thai have proposed Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the leader of Prachachart Party, as a candidate for House Speaker.
• Prachachart won nine seats in the House of Representatives and is part of the eight-party coalition led by the MFP. Its main constituency are Thai Malays living in the regions near the border with Malaysia.
• Speaking on TV earlier today, Wan Muhammad Noor Matha said that he was not aware of the news and the deal between coalition members was that the two main parties will discuss the issue and inform the coalition about the outcome.
• Pheu Thai sources told Thai Enquirer that the MFP have agreed to the proposal, but there has been no official confirmation yet. Pheu Thai have cancelled a press conference on the matter but said that the coalition will hold a briefing tonight.