30-hour censure debate ‘unnecessary’ for sole target: Paetongtarn
The prime minister calls for a more balanced allocation of debate time, saying both whips are discussing the issue ahead of the March 24 censure debate
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has expressed reservations about the oppositions’ demand for a 30-hour no-confidence debate, noting that such an extensive period may not be justified if she is the sole target.
The premier said on Tuesday that any allocated debate time should be shared between the government and the opposition to ensure a balanced discussion. The opposition, led by the People’s Party, has insisted on at least 30 hours to present its case during the censure debate.
When asked if 30 hours was too much, Paetongtarn said: “It doesn’t make sense, if the debate subject is me alone.”
However, she said, the two whips will reach an agreement on the allocated time on the debate, which is scheduled to kick off on March 24. The two whips have reportedly been at loggerheads over the time allocation.
Meanwhile, Paetongtarn said she will also discuss the defence strategy with coalition partners at a dinner on Friday, adding that all sides of the administration must help one another.
As for whether she is concerned about the People’s Party-led censure campaign, the PM said: “It’s not surprising. It’s being done to get attention. It’s normal. The government does it too. It’s not a big deal.”
The People’s Party, an incarnation of Move Forward, launched a campaign on Monday called “Trading Deals with the Country” in which it alleges that powerful figures made political deals that have caused Thai people to suffer significant losses. This is seen as an attack on Paetongtarns’ father, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is also seen as the patriarch of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
In its no-confidence motion, the main opposition party accuses Paetongtarn of being a figurehead leader and allowing her family members to pull the strings.
The motion initially named Thaksin, but House Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha demanded it be removed as it allegedly breached a parliamentary meeting regulation.
