Bangkokl (EFE).- The Constitutional Court of Thailand has suspended as deputy the leader of the party that won the elections on May 14, while it investigates a complaint against him that the court has accepted for processing.
The Constitutional decision was announced in full session of the bicameral Parliament that was scheduled to vote throughout today on the candidacy of Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister.
Upon receiving the court’s notification, Pita left Parliament, although despite the suspension, the candidate can be nominated for the position since, according to Thai law, the president does not have the obligation to be part of the Legislature.
“I trust that all my fellow deputies use the parliamentary system to take care of the people,” said the leader of the progressive Avanzar (Move Forward) party, which unexpectedly won the May 14 election with 14 million votes.
“Thailand has changed since May 14. The people have won half the battle (in the elections), the other half still remains. Although I have not been able to fulfill my duty, I ask my colleagues to continue caring for the citizens, ”said the politician before leaving his seat by complying with the court order.
Between hugs with his classmates and with other leaders of the opposition coalition, which together with seven other parties has a large majority in the elected House of Representatives, Pita left the chamber raising his arm in a protest gesture.
Alleged violation of electoral laws
The Constitutional decision is linked to the investigation into whether Pita knowingly failed to comply with the conditions to register as a parliamentary candidate due to the possession of shares in a communication company, which is prohibited by electoral rules.
The convoluted complaint, raised last week by the Electoral Commission, focuses on 42,000 titles of the iTV channel, which represent 0.0035% of the total shares of this chain closed in 2007, which the politician administered as part of the family trust after the death of his father in 2006.
Pita now has a period of 15 days to present his defense, while the court’s final decision does not have a set period.
In the event that the Constitutional Court finds Pita guilty, he could face a punishment of up to 10 years in prison and 20 years of political disqualification.
Parliament blocks the vote for prime minister
The Thai Parliament, made up of a chamber elected at the polls and another not elected, on Wednesday blocked the candidacy of Pita Limjaorenrat for prime minister.
The votes of the non-elected senators were decisive in blocking the vote scheduled today for Pita’s candidacy, which practically eliminates his chances to become head of government in the midst of a political crisis in the country.
The decision came after the decision of the Constitutional Court to temporarily suspend Pita as a deputy.
On July 13, Parliament already voted against Pita when presenting his candidacy for head of government, since the candidate has a sufficient majority in the Upper House, but not among the senators handpicked by the former military junta (2014 -2019)