PM Samak
on the possible dissolution of Parliament -
translated and summarized from Komchadluek, April 22, 2008
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej stated during last Sunday's broadcast
of the weekly "Samak's Style of Talk" television program, that he might
consider dissolving parliament after completing his proposed revisions
to the 2007 Constitution. The implications of this statement need to be
closely examined. His government’s proposed revision of the current
constitution has drawn strong criticism from those members of the
public who perceive that such a revision might mainly benefit his own
People Power Party (PPP) and the ‘old power’ group of Thaksin
Shinawatra. The charter revision is likely to include a proposal to
shorten the allocated life span of each new Electoral Commission (EC)
and National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC). These two
organizations have both recently taken measures that have acted as a
brake on the power of the current government. The EC launched an
inquiry into alleged vote buying by the PPP after the December 23
General Election that could eventually lead to the its dissolution.
Meanwhile, the NCCC has launched an inquiry into alleged corruption by
ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
I am of the firm belief that the PM needs to thoroughly reconsider any
attempt by his government to revise the current constitution. Any
perception that the revision is mainly of benefit to the PPP could lead
to serious political conflict. Such conflict would jeopardize the peace
of this nation, and result in a loss of public confidence in the Samak
Government. And this might, in turn, cause another coup d’etat to
occur.
PM Samak on the possible dissolution of Parliament
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