Thailand: Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai submitted a decree on Wednesday to King Maha Vajiralongkorn requesting the dissolution of the House of Representatives, paving the way for early general elections. Wechayachai mentioned in a press statement that this move aims to restore power to the people following political unrest in the country.
According to Kuwait News Agency, this move follows the loss of the ruling Pheu Thai Party's parliamentary majority, after former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was dismissed by a Constitutional Court ruling last week on charges of violating ethical standards. Secretary-General of the Pheu Thai Party, Suriya Wongtheanthong, stated that under the constitution, general elections must be held within 60 days from the date of Parliament's dissolution.
He stressed that the dissolution is not a political maneuver but rather an effort to return power to the people. However, observers have pointed to a legal controversy regarding whether the acting prime minister has the authority to take such a step. The Council of State, serving as the government's legal advisory body, has reportedly expressed opposition to this interpretation and does not recognize the acting premier's authority to dissolve Parliament.