Thailand’s parliament has elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra to succeed dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Friday’s vote follows Srettha’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday. The court said his appointment of a Cabinet member was a violation of the constitution’s ethical standards. Srettha belongs to the largest ruling party, Pheu Thai.
Paetongtarn is the party’s leader and a daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The 37-year-old Paetongtarn secured majority support of lawmakers in the lower house required to become the new prime minister.
The People’s Party voted against Paetongtarn. It is the successor of the largest pro-democracy opposition Move Forward Party, which was dissolved by the Constitutional Court last week.
Some observers say Srettha’s dismissal reflects the discontent among conservatives who are close to the military and wary of Thaksin. Thaksin’s political influence has been growing since his return to Thailand last year after 15 years in exile.
But Pheu Thai and pro-military conservative forces will maintain the coalition government. Lawmakers in the coalition voted for Paetongtarn on Friday.
Paetongtarn is in for difficult maneuvering as conservatives are likely to keep forces close to her father in check.