The Move Forward Party (MFP) has announced its decision to step back and allow the Pheu Thai Party to take charge of forming a government.
MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon said that even though Move Forward and Pheu Thai secured the first and second positions, respectively, in terms of MP numbers in the May 14 general election, reflecting the people's desire for a new government of parties outside the former government bloc, conservatives and their allies had made efforts to prevent the MFP from forming a government.
He said Move Forward's main objective is not to have its leader Pita Limjaroenrat become the next prime minister.
"Our mission is to form a government of the democracy side under a memorandum of understanding signed by eight parties," Mr Chaithawat said.
With Mr Pita having been blocked twice from being selected, Move Forward has now decided to give Pheu Thai the chance, he said.
In the next parliament meeting on July 27 to select the prime minister, Move Forward would nominate a candidate from Pheu Thai for the position, while Pheu Thai could also nominate a candidate of their choice, Mr Chaithawat said.
According to the MFP secretary-general, during the past two months, the conservative side utilised various methods, including politicians, monopolistic groups and organisations, to stop Move Forward setting up a government. They cited Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law, and loyalty to the royal institution as pretexts to take legal actions against the MFP and its core members, aiming to dissolve the party and revoke their political rights.
