BANGKOK, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Thailand's parliament has picked Anutin Charnvirakul, the 58-year-old leader of the Bhumjaithai party, to be the next prime minister.
The following is background on Anutin, who was elected following last week's dismissal of Paetongarn Shinawatra from the role after the Constitutional Court found she had violated ethical rules.
PATH TO PREMIERSHIP
- Bhumjaithai was the second largest party in the ruling coalition led by Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party when Anutin was Deputy Prime Minister.
- Anutin withdrew from the coalition in June after the damaging leak of a phone call between the prime minister and Cambodia's Hun Sen over a border dispute. That call was the basis of the case that led to Paetongtarn's removal from office.
- The opposition People's Party, which holds nearly a third of lower house seats and is the largest party in parliament, said it world back anutin to be prime minister in return for his promise to dissolve parliament within four months. The People's Party will not join the government.
- Anutin said he had support from seven other parties and groups, comprising 146 parliamentary seats. Along with the People's Party's 143 seats, he would have 289 members supporting him to become prime minister, more than the 247 votes needed.
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