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SHEER JOY: A People Power Party supporter raising her arms in jubilation after the Thai Supreme Court rejected two legal challenges to the December election results yesterday. The PPP and its allies can now go ahead and form the next Thai government. -- PHOTO: AFP
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BANGKOK - THAILAND'S Supreme Court yesterday dismissed two legal challenges to the People Power Party's (PPP) election victory last month, clearing the way for it to form the government next week.
The PPP comprises loyalists of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was forced out of power in September 2006.
The court rulings put an end to speculation over who would form the next government, as the PPP, while emerging as the single largest party from the Dec 23 elections, was still short of a majority on its own.
The PPP had teamed up with five smaller parties to form a coalition, giving it enough seats to form the next government.
But charges filed against the PPP threatened its victory at the polls, and yesterday's ruling was critical in determining if the PPP-led coalition could go on to form Thailand's next government.
One politician had accused the PPP of being a proxy for the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party led by Thaksin, and another had challenged the legality of advance voting.
Yesterday, the court ruled that the advance voting held on Dec 15 and 16 was legal and valid.
As to whether the PPP was a nominee for Thaksin, the court said it had no authority to rule on the case, adding that the Constitution Tribunal was the appropriate body.
It was unclear yesterday if such a case would be filed with the tribunal. The petitioner, Mr Chaiwat Sinsuwong from the rival Democrat Party, said that he would discuss the option with his lawyers.
Mr Chaiwat suffered a blow to his credibility some days ago when his party's leader, Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva, said that he should drop his case. Yesterday, he resigned from the party just hours before the ruling was due.
In the interim, several by-elections have been held, which have seen the PPP and its allies largely retaining their positions in terms of seat numbers.
Yesterday, the Election Commission approved enough winning candidates from the polls for parliament to convene next week.
It certified the victories of 460 lawmakers, meeting the 95 per cent quota and leaving 20 seats to be filled through more by-elections to be held later this month.
Parliament will open on Monday evening and have its first sitting on Tuesday, beating a Jan 23 deadline.
The first order of business will be to choose a Speaker, and then the prime minister.
PPP leader Samak Sundaravej has said that he will be prime minister - to the dismay of many among the Bangkok elite who find his blunt and abrasive style, along with his criticism of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, hard to stomach.
Mr Samak still faces corruption charges from years ago when he was governor of Bangkok, and who will occupy the post will remain in some doubt until the ultimate vote in parliament.
Analysts said that while yesterday's rulings meant the country would have to accept the verdict of the elections, underlying political divisions would remain unresolved.
Cabinet positions will be parcelled out among the PPP and major coalition partners Puea Pandin and Chart Thai.
The rulings came at the end of days of intense backroom bargaining, which one PPP insider described to The Straits Times as the 'one-for- you, one-for-me stage'.
The Manager Media group reported that Puea Pandin leader Suwit Khunkitti may be deputy prime minister.
Tipped to be defence minister is former army chief Prawit Wongsuwan, who according to PPP sources was part of the clique in the armed forces that ousted Thaksin.
His appointment would represent a compromise struck between the PPP and the royalist-military combine that threw out Thaksin, the sources said.
nirmal@sph.com.sg
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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