Rather than being selected based on their political affiliation, senators were picked to represent twenty distinct industries, professions, public health, justice, education, public art, sports, senior citizens, and racial and ethnic minorities.
The incoming senate, which was constituted by the ruling junta in 2014 and has 50 fewer members than the outgoing one, would no longer have the power to vote to confirm the prime minister following an election. This is a major development.
Following the general election of last year, the present senate was instrumental in preventing Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the party with the most seats, from becoming prime minister.
Despite Bhumjaithai’s membership in the coalition, analysts warned the outcome would present problems for the government headed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s Pheu Thai party.
“Pheu Thai moves will be difficult from now red (the party colour) does not come to the upper house as planned,” Thanaporn Sriyakul, director of the Institute of Politics and Policy Analysis, told AFP.
In one reverse for Pheu Thai, former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat — brother-in-law of party patriarch and veteran politician Thaksin Shinawatra — failed in his bid for a senate seat.
After an election, the incoming senate, which was established by the reigning junta in 2014 and has 50 fewer members than the outgoing one, would not be able to vote to approve the prime minister. This is a significant advancement.
The current senate played a key role in keeping Pita Limjaroenrat, the head of the party with the most seats, from taking the prime ministership after last year’s general election.
A minimum of one-third of the upper house must also approve the government’s intentions to amend Thailand’s constitution, which were drafted by the junta after it seized power.
On Tuesday, the final results will be formally verified.
