Opposition parties in Thailand are meeting to form a coalition.

The progressive Forward Party (MFP) emerged after Sunday's election as the party with the most votes. MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat met with senior officials from five other opposition parties at a Bangkok restaurant for closed-door talks.

Leaders of the MFP party and opposition parties met to negotiate the formation of a government . Photo: AFP

Mr. Pita, 42, is trying to build an alliance with the Pheu Thai party, which has dominated Thai politics for two decades, and four other smaller parties.

The MFP party won 152 seats, with the Pheu Thai party coming in second with 141 seats. A coalition with other parties would give them more than 300 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives.

However, to secure the prime ministership, the coalition needs a majority in both houses of parliament, including the Senate, which has 250 members previously selected by the government.

This means the MFP party and its allies need a minimum of 376 votes in the House of Commons to ensure that senators cannot prevent Pita from becoming the new prime minister.

Several senators have voiced opposition to Pita and his plans to amend the kingdom's law prohibiting insults to the monarchy. "I will not accept Pita as Prime Minister," said Senator Jadet Inswang, raising concerns about reforms to the monarchy.

Senator Kittisak Ratanawaraha also refused to endorse Pita. "A prime ministerial candidate needs to love the country and the monarchy," he said.

Hoang Nam (according to AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cac-dang-doi-lap-thai-lan-hop-ban-thanh-lap-lien-minh-post248143.html