BANGKOK, May 29 (TNA) – The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) insists its attempt to form a coalition government is still intact despite apparent disagreements with the Democrat Party over key policies and ministerial posts.
After receiving a formal invitation to join a coalition with PPRP on Monday, the Democrat has not responded to the proposal. A meeting of Democrat executives and MPs on Tuesday, primarily to decide whether to join the PPRP alliance, was abruptly cancelled amid reports of rifts among its members and factions.
PPRP leader Uttama Savanayana said in a press conference on Wednesday reassured the progress in its attempt to form a coalition. “Negotiation is still underway,” he said.
Sources say that there are conflicts over Cabinet positions for Democrats in return for their support for the PPRP.
But Uttama said the Cabinet posts had not been settled for any potential coalition parties. The talks now focused on how to implement policies and allocations of positions in line with each party, he said.
The Democrat Party is seen as leaning toward PPRP after its key figure Chuan Leekpai won a parliamentary vote to become House speaker on Saturday. But reports say the two parties are unable to settle ministerial post allocation and the Democrat’s stance for constitutional amendment.
A Democrat spokesman announced that the PPRP failed to respond to the party’s “principles for working together” document. (TNA)
