In a surprising turn of events, Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been elected as Thailand's new Prime Minister, after months of political turmoil. This comes as a political arrangement brokered by her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, resulted in a coalition led by Paetongtarn's party coming to power. However, her election has also been met with criticism due to the family's controversial history in Thai politics, raising concerns about further consolidation of power in the hands of the Shinawatras.
Background
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, made history in the recent Thai elections by becoming the country's first female Prime Minister. This victory is the culmination of years of political maneuvering and a coalition agreement brokered by her father, Thaksin, who himself was a controversial figure in Thai politics.
Thaksin Shinawatra was elected Prime Minister in 2001 and served until 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup. He was accused of corruption and abuse of power, and fled the country to avoid prosecution. Despite his exile, Thaksin remained influential in Thai politics through his family's wealth and political connections.
Election and Coalition
In the lead-up to the 2023 elections, Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party formed a coalition with several smaller parties. The coalition agreed to support Paetongtarn as their candidate for Prime Minister. The Pheu Thai Party won the most seats in the election, but they did not win an outright majority. This necessitated the formation of a coalition government with other parties in order to secure a majority in parliament.
After a period of negotiations, Pheu Thai and its coalition partners agreed to form a government with Paetongtarn as Prime Minister. The coalition controls a majority of seats in parliament, giving it the necessary support to pass legislation and form a stable government.
Controversy and Criticism
Paetongtarn's election has been met with both praise and criticism. Some voters welcomed the prospect of a new female leader and the potential for a fresh start in Thai politics. Others expressed concern about the Shinawatra family's history of corruption and their authoritarian tendencies.
Critics of the Shinawatra family argue that Thaksin's legacy is one of cronyism, corruption, and the erosion of democratic institutions. They fear that Paetongtarn will continue her father's policies and further consolidate power in the hands of the Shinawatra family.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q: Who is Paetongtarn Shinawatra?
A: Paetongtarn Shinawatra is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. She is Thailand's first female Prime Minister.
Q: How did Paetongtarn become Prime Minister?
A: Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party formed a coalition with several smaller parties. The coalition agreed to support Paetongtarn as their candidate for Prime Minister, and she won a majority of seats in parliament.
Q: What is the Shinawatra family's history in Thai politics?
A: Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's father, was a controversial Prime Minister who was overthrown in a military coup. He was accused of corruption and abuse of power, and he fled the country to avoid prosecution.
Q: Are there concerns about Paetongtarn's election?
A: Some voters have expressed concern about the Shinawatra family's history of corruption and their authoritarian tendencies. They fear that Paetongtarn will continue her father's policies and further consolidate power in the hands of the Shinawatra family.
Q: What are Paetongtarn's plans for Thailand?
A: Paetongtarn has promised to focus on economic recovery, job creation, and social welfare programs. She has also pledged to tackle corruption and reform Thai politics.
A heated protest in Islamabad over the release of politician Imran Khan led to the postponement of the final two cricket matches between Pakistan Shaheens and Sri Lanka A. The clash between Pakistani authorities and demonstrators resulted in 6 deaths and almost 1,000 arrests. The Interior Ministry has invoked Article 245 to maintain peace and the police chief claims that no live ammunition was used, but weapons were seized from the protest site.
As Indian Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna addressed the Constitutional Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, he emphasized the role of constructive feedback in identifying and eliminating systematic inefficiencies and bottlenecks in the judiciary. He also responded to criticisms of the judiciary's power in a democracy, underlining the Constitution's design to ensure unbiased and pressure-free decisions. The CJI also discussed the relationship between the judiciary and other branches of government, stressing the balance of interdependence, autonomy, and reciprocity. Despite the challenges faced by judges, he described their role as a "bridge" that nurtures the Constitution, fundamental rights, and governance.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of Sonia and Rajiv Gandhi, has been sworn in as an MP in the Lok Sabha, following in the footsteps of other members of the Nehru-Gandhi family. She won a landslide victory in the Wayanad by-election, which was necessitated by her brother Rahul Gandhi's resignation. Priyanka Gandhi's entry into Parliament marks a new phase in her political career, which previously focused on supporting her mother in Rae Bareli constituency. She is the third of her generation to become an MP and the eighth female member of the Nehru-Gandhi clan.
JMM leader Hemant Soren took oath as the new chief minister of Jharkhand in a grand ceremony, in the presence of top Indian political leaders. The 49-year-old tribal leader was sworn in by the state's governor, Santosh Kumar Gangwar. Prior to the ceremony, Soren met with his father and JMM president, Shibu Soren.
A low intensity explosion was heard on Thursday near a PVR in Prashant Vihar area of Delhi’s Rohini region. The Delhi Fire Service received the call regarding the blast at 11.48 am, as reported by PTI. No injuries or casualties have been reported and the investigation is currently underway.
The Bangladesh High Court has rejected a plea to ban the activities of ISKCON in Bangladesh, stating that the government has taken appropriate actions to address concerns. This decision comes after three separate cases have been filed in connection with ISKCON's activities and the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, with 33 accused arrested. The court emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety and upholding law and order, relying on reports from the additional attorney general and deputy attorney general.
With the counting of votes happening in Jharkhand, Banna Gupta, the Congress candidate for Jamshedpur West, has expressed that the elections are not just about winning or losing, but rather about serving the public. He has also stated his confidence in the INDI alliance forming the government and establishing the rule of "by the people, of the people and for the people." Currently, as per EC trends data, the JMM alliance is leading in 51 seats, surpassing the halfway mark of 42 in the house.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera expresses immense pride and emotion as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra takes oath as a Member of Parliament. Her parliamentary debut aligns her with her mother and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul Gandhi, a significant step for the Nehru-Gandhi family. Priyanka's victory in the Wayanad bypoll marks not only her electoral success but also a moment of inspiration for the entire nation, as Khera recalls their family's unique tradition of sacrificing for the country.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who recently won the bypoll in Kerala's Wayanad, took oath as a Member of Parliament in the lower house of the Parliament. She joins her mother Sonia and brother Rahul as an MP, making it a rare instance of three members of a family together in Parliament. With a strong victory margin of more than 4.1 lakh votes, Priyanka Gandhi's political journey has now come full circle as she enters active politics after five years of being appointed as the Congress general secretary. Her entry into Parliament comes at a crucial time for the Congress party, who has been facing electoral defeats in recent state elections. It remains to be seen if Priyanka Gandhi can bring fresh energy and revive the party's prospects.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been sworn in as the Lok Sabha member from Wayanad, replacing her brother Rahul Gandhi. She recorded a massive win in the recent elections, with a margin of over four lakh votes. In her post on social media, she expressed gratitude to the voters and promised to be their voice in Parliament. Her family members, including mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul Gandhi, campaigned for her and urged her to make Wayanad a top tourist destination.