Highlights from the two elections

The elections in Thailand and Türkiye concluded with several noteworthy initial results.

MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat (in white shirt) celebrates with supporters outside Bangkok City Hall on May 15. (Source: AFP/Getty Images)

Victory is not absolute.

Preliminary results released by the Thai Election Commission (EC) show an overwhelming victory for the two opposition parties in the Land of Smiles.

Specifically, the Forward Party (MFP) won 152 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives (including 113 seats allocated by constituency and 39 seats allocated by party list). The Pheu Thai Party came in second with 141 seats (112 and 29 seats respectively).

Meanwhile, the parties in the ruling coalition lagged behind. The Bhumjaithai Party came in third with 70 seats (67 seats allocated by constituency and three by party list). Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon's People's Power Party (PPRP) followed with 40 seats. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's United Thai National Party (UTN) ranked fifth with 36 seats (23 seats allocated by constituency and 13 by party list). Several factors contributed to this outcome.

Firstly, Thailand is facing numerous challenges. During the Covid-19 pandemic, growth in 2020 declined to 6%. However, after the pandemic, economic growth in 2022 only reached 2.8%, lower than the target of 3.4% and placing it among the slowest-recovering countries in Southeast Asia. Political controversies related to the Royal Family led to marches and riots in 2020 and 2021, negatively impacting the country's image.

Secondly, the EC stated that voter turnout reached 75.22%, higher than the record of 75.03% in the 2011 election. This demonstrates voters' interest in the recent election and reflects their desire for a "fresh start" amidst Thailand's numerous domestic and international challenges.

Thirdly, the election witnessed the increasingly important presence of young voters. Statistically, three million Thai voters exercised their citizenship for the first time. Policies specifically targeting this group helped the MFP, formerly the Future Forward Party (FFP) and Pheu Thai, secure their recent victory.

Following the preliminary election results, MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat announced he would seek to form a six-party coalition, including the Pheu Thai party. The 42-year-old leader contacted Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate and youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, inviting her to join the coalition to form a new government . If this scenario materializes, the opposition coalition would win 293 seats and hold a majority in the Lower House.

However, things are not yet settled. To form a government, the opposition needs a minimum of 376 out of 750 seats in both houses of parliament. However, according to the 2017 amended Thai Constitution, all 250 seats in the Senate are chosen by the military. This means that these MPs are likely to vote for candidates with a military background or service. In 2019, Pheu Thai was the largest political party, but Prayut's coalition gathered enough support to elect him as Prime Minister. Now, this scenario could repeat itself.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife on election night, May 14. (Source: Getty Images)

The two-horse race is still on.

Meanwhile, in Türkiye, the presidential election has yet to produce a winner after the first round.

On May 15th, TRT TV (Türkiye) reported that with 100% of the votes counted in the presidential election held on May 14th, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had secured 49.35% of the vote. Politician Kemal Kilicdaroglu was close behind with 45%. ATA Alliance candidate Sinan Ogan received only 5.22% of the vote. Meanwhile, Muharrem Ince, who withdrew, garnered 0.43% of the vote. The Turkish election authorities still consider his votes valid.

Based on the above results, since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, according to the country's regulations, incumbent President Erdogan and Mr. Kilicdarogu will proceed to the second round, scheduled for May 28th.

This result reflects several notable features as follows:

First of all, the voter turnout in the election reached a record high of 88.84%, reflecting the voters' particular interest in choosing the country's leaders.

Secondly, although still in the lead, Tayyip Erdogan was unable to secure a direct victory as he did five years ago. The results also reflect voters' attitudes toward the challenges Turkey is facing, from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict causing volatile energy prices, soaring inflation and the continuous devaluation of the Lira, to the devastating earthquake last March.

Ankara needs to find solutions to many problems, such as tensions with Athens, the Kurdish issue, the migration agreement with the European Union (EU), and its relationship with Washington, a major partner in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Thirdly, although closely trailing the incumbent president, politician Kemal Kilicdaroglu is considered to lack the necessary weight to defeat Tayyip Erdogan. Furthermore, in over a decade under Kemal's leadership, the Republican People's Party (CHP) has failed to win any elections. Simultaneously, some argue that this politician is too "close to the West," lacking the necessary balance in Turkey's current foreign policy.

As can be seen, even though the elections have concluded, the situation in Thailand and Türkiye remains complex.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/diem-nhan-tu-hai-cuoc-bau-cu-227560.html