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'National unity government' dangerous and undemocratic


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'National unity government' dangerous and undemocratic  

By The Nation

 

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Moves to engineer a pseudo-deadlock to justify ‘neutral’ rule ignore the will of voters

 

A so-called national unity government has always been a favourite gambit for Thai politicians who lose elections. By utilising this benign-sounding concept they can sweep aside the voters’ verdict and prevent opposing factions from taking power.    

 

Advocates call it “national unity government” despite knowing full well that no such government can exist. Non-partisan Thai politicians simply no longer exist in this era of deep and bitter national division.

 

It was sad though predictable, then, to see the Democrats’ Thepthai Senapong float the idea again, after his party suffered a huge setback in the March 24 election. Exploiting the Election Commission (EC)’s apparent inability to produce a clear result, Thepthai has sought to convince the public that a national unity Cabinet is badly needed.

 

His idea immediately fails the test of credibility with his proposal that former prime minister and Democrat patriarch Chuan Leekpai lead the “unity” government. No neutral observer believes that Chuan is non-partisan.

 

In reality, and contrary to Thepthai’s claim, the current political phase has not yet reached a dead end. There are many moves still in play – provided the EC works diligently to produce the final election result and the military elite allows the game to proceed without intervening.

 

First of all, the EC must make a clear decision on the formula used to calculate the number of party-list MPs, in accordance with the Constitution and election law. The commission should stick to the formula indicated in the charter. Using its own proposed formula would invite more trouble rather than a solution, since it would bring too many parties into the equation. More importantly, any such method might be unconstitutional.

 

The rules of the game dictate that the election winner is the party which manages to obtain the most seats. This gives it the legitimacy to gather a coalition to form the new government. The popular vote is irrelevant in the parliamentary system. The only majority that counts is that of seats in the House of Representatives.

 

While the junta-sponsored charter allows the 250 appointed Senators to vote for a new prime minister, they should bear in mind that they are unelected figures and sit in parliament without a mandate from the people. It is undemocratic to vote against the people’s will. The group with the most seats in the lower house gets to nominate its candidate as prime minister, and senators would be defying the democratic will if they opposed that nomination.

 

Like it or not, the military and the elite who will be handpicked by the junta to sit in the Senate should set a precedent by voting in accordance with the will of the people, not that of the junta.

 

The election was far from perfect, but the elite, military and notably the junta must accept the outcome of a situation that they themselves created. The junta should now allow its opponents the chance to form a government to run the country, as mandated by the people.

 

Using underhanded legal tactics and other dirty tricks to retain power is not acceptable. The people delivered their verdict via an election by whose rules all parties agreed to abide. That process and its outcome are the only effective solution to the deep and lasting political problems in this country.

 

All parties must now allow the EC to do its work in accordance with the constitution and law. The elite, military and junta must not use their influence to force the agency off its course. 

 

If the system functions properly, a so-called national unity government will be unnecessary. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30367806

 

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-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-17
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53 minutes ago, webfact said:

The junta should now allow its opponents the chance to form a government to run the country, as mandated by the people.

Freedom to choose a government never came free anywhere in the free world

 

Benjamin Franklin gives a good example

 

At the close of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787,

as Benjamin Franklin left the hall in Philadelphia, he was asked,

“What kind of government have you given us, Dr. Franklin?” He replied: “A republic, if you can keep it.”

 

 

The Thai people alone can solve this problem that has gagged them since 2014

If they are not willing to do what it takes to take back & keep their country then

they have as they say the government they deserve

 

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87 years and counting. The inability of the military, who often squabble between themselves, to let go of govt and leave it to the people continues. They have never yet considered the people fit to rule this country and have used the same anti-monarchy, socialist-communist arguments since 1932. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Using underhanded legal tactics and other dirty tricks to retain power is not acceptable.

But it has been for all that time and will almost certainly continue to happen. If they cant rule by dictatorship they will at least continue to meddle, interrupt and resist until the situation calls for the military to bring 'peace and control' to the rowdy streets of Bangkok. After all the repeats already seen surely no-one imagines it cant happen again.

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Okay being Canadian I may have missed something our system is not great but it works.

 

Why do people that did not even run for parliament get in and what is the reasoning for having people sit that are not elected therefore not responsible to the people.

 

The Canadian system is simple and idiot proof.  Each party elects a leader.  the country is divided up into ridings.  People have the choice of electing the person that they feel is best for their riding or they can vote for the party of their choice.  It is either or.

 

Once the election is over the party with the most elected members is asked by the GG (Queen's rep) to form the government.

There is no coalition formed between parties. If you have the majority then great go for it

If you are not a majority then you have to be careful what you p[ut out as policy and make sure that enough of the other parties will support you.  If not BYE BYE.

tHE pm IS THE PERSON THAT IS THE LEADER OF THE WINNING PARTY.

 

Simple 1 vote one rep.

 

Besides the corruption why do you need non-elected people

 

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