Bangkok:Parit Wacharasindhu, a list MP and deputy leader of the People's Party, has confirmed that the opposition is requesting a five-day no-confidence debate, followed by a one-day vote. This request comes after the number of ministers under scrutiny rose to 18. Parit criticized the government's unilateral actions and emphasized the necessity for agreement through the three-party whips.
According to Thai News Agency, Parit stated that the opposition parties consider the no-confidence debate an essential mechanism for scrutinizing the government. He noted that the opposition requires sufficient time to present accusations and allow relevant ministers and the Prime Minister to respond. The opposition believes that extending the debate from four to five days is reasonable, taking into account the increased number of ministers involved.
During an interview, Parit described the government's actions as monopolizing, grabbing everything, and solving problems on a day-to-day basis. He highlighted issues such as economic hardship, flood management, corruption, and abuse of power, expressing that these remain unresolved by the current government. He asserted that the no-confidence debate offers a platform for the opposition to showcase these problems to the public.
Parit also addressed concerns regarding the scheduling of the debate, emphasizing that the opposition is best positioned to determine the necessary time for addressing the issues. He reiterated that the opposition's proposal for a five-day debate is not excessive and aligns with the extent of the issues at hand. The opposition intends to ensure adequate time for both accusations and ministerial responses during the debate.
Discussions continue in preparation for the joint meeting of the three whips, where the opposition will present their reasoning for the proposed timeframe. Parit emphasized that the debate must include issues from past events that affect the parliament's decision on the no-confidence motion.