"Prime Minister” Confirms 95% of Members Have Registered, Session Can Be Held Immediately

Today (26 Feb) at 12:50 pm At Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul gave an interview regarding the actions of the caretaker government after the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) partially certified the election results. He stated that the government is not involved, but that political parties have instructed their MPs to collect their documents and registration forms from the House of Representatives within the specified time.

Regarding the process of opening parliament, Mr. Anutin said he was unaware, as it is a matter for the parliament to schedule and request royal permission to open the session. This is not part of the government's process.

When asked if the government would secure 292 votes, Mr. Anutin replied, "Nothing has been opened yet, so what is there to close?"

Regarding the opening of parliament, as the leading figure in forming the government When asked if he needed to state his readiness, Mr. Anutin said it wasn't related. He said it depended on when 95% of the MPs had reported for duty, which is when the parliament could convene. He added that it was the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the Parliament to issue the summons, but that there must be a formal opening ceremony before the session can be convened, as per constitutional procedure. He emphasized that this matter was not related to the government, especially a caretaker government.

When asked if, as the leading party in forming the government, he needed to act quickly after ECT certified the election results, Mr. Anutin said everything depended on the process. Once the MPs were certified and there was a formal opening ceremony, the parliament could convene. Then, the Speaker of the House would be elected, followed by the Prime Minister, and only then would the appointment of ministers be considered.

Regarding his previous statement that he would form a government quickly after ECT certified the election results, Mr. Anutin said they were prepared.