Former PM's Daughter Could Next Lead Thailand

If Parliament approves, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will become Thailand's next leader. Paetongtarn Shinawatra will be nominated in a parliamentary vote for prime minister set for Friday, her party and its 10 coalition partners said Thursday. This follows the ousting of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday by the Constitutional Court due to an ethical violation.

Paetongtarn, who represents the populist Pheu Thai party, expressed gratitude for the support: "I have confidence in Pheu Thai. I have confidence in all government coalition parties to bring our country out of the economic crisis." If confirmed in the parliamentary vote, she will be Thailand's second female prime minister (after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra) and the third from the Shinawatra family.

It's been a tumultuous week for Thai politics, after the Constitutional Court dissolved the progressive Move Forward party last week; it was accused of being in breach of the constitution by suggesting an amendment to a law that prohibits defaming the royal family. Though it finished first in last year's general election, the party was not permitted to take power. Pheu Thai, the second-place finisher, was able to form a coalition. The current House of Representatives has 493 members following recent political disruptions, and Paetongtarn will require a simple majority to secure her leadership role. The People's Party, comprised of many former Move Forward lawmakers, announced it will not support her candidacy. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)