New Thai government ‘firmly taking shape’, potential PM says | Elections News

The reformist leader of the party that resoundingly won Thailand’s elections has announced eight parties have agreed to form a coalition government with him as prime minister.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said at a news conference on Thursday that the proposed coalition would have 313 seats in the House of Representatives, a solid majority of its 500 members.

“The key message of today’s news conference is to assure the public that my coalition is firmly taking shape,” said Pita, a Harvard-educated businessman. “There’s momentum, there’s progress and we also have a very clear road map from today until the day I become prime minister.”

Despite the overwhelming support, fears exist among the coalition’s supporters that Pita’s military-aligned opponents may use the unelected Senate to block him from office.

Under Thailand’s constitution drafted under