House and Senate whips to meet Wednesday to set date for PM selection

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said that he will call a meeting of House and Senate whips this Wednesday to set the date for a joint sitting to select the prime minister, which could be any day from August 18th to 22nd.

He said he will, however, have to wait for a decision by the Constitutional Court, expected this Wednesday, on whether it will accept a petition from the ombudsman challenging parliament’s decision, by a majority vote, to reject the renomination of Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s prime ministerial candidacy.

Wan said that parliament wants a new government to be formed as quickly as possible, but must be in compliance with the law, adding that he hopes the selection of a prime minister will go smoothly.

To date, the nine-party coalition, cobbled together by the Pheu Thai party, only commands 238 votes, which is still short of amajority in the…