Thailand’s ruling coalition parties have nominated a daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the successor to dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is expected to be approved as the new prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Friday.
Thailand’s constitutional court ordered the dismissal of Srettha on Wednesday, saying his appointment of a Cabinet member was a violation of the constitution’s ethical standards. Srettha belongs to the largest ruling party, Pheu Thai.
The ruling coalition parties announced on Thursday that they will back Paetongtarn, who heads Pheu Thai, as their prime ministerial candidate.
Paetongtarn is 37 years old. She became the party leader last year. She has often been seen with her tycoon father at official occasions since he returned to Thailand for the first time in 15 years last August.
Some observers say Srettha’s dismissal reflects the discontent among conservatives who are close to the military with the elder Thaksin’s growing political influence.
But Pheu Thai and pro-military conservative forces are expected to maintain the coalition government.