Thaksin allies form coalition government in Thailand
Saturday, 19 Jan 2008 09:30
Mr Sundaravej is the leader of the People Power party that is the major party in the six-member coalition
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A six-party coalition government has been formed in Thailand with the People Power party (PPP), allied to Thaksin Shinawatra, being the major party.
Former prime minister Mr Shinawatra was deposed in a military coup two years ago after street protests against alleged corruption. His Thai Rak Thai party was banned from contesting in the recent polls in the country but the PPP managed to win the most seats in parliament after some members loyal to Mr Shinawatra formed a new political platform to contest the elections.
A number of judicial challenges against both the party's election victory as well as the nature of the party were recently rejected paving the way for a return to civilian government in the south-east
Asian country.
Speaking at a press conference, PPP leader Samak Sundaravej said negotiations on the formation of the coalition had been difficult and had taken a "long time".
However he added that the coalition would enable the government to be stable and "last a long time".
He stated that the next parliamentary session would take place on Monday in which the coalition would nominate its choice of prime minister. The decision will be implemented after consultation with the country's revered monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej.