(Source)
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, became Thailand’s youngest prime minister on Friday, taking over a role previously held by her father and aunt. The former businesswoman was parliament’s sole nominee for the post and secured her victory with 319 votes in favor, 145 against and 27 abstentions.
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Background: Paetongtarn, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, entered politics in 2021 when she was announced as the leader of the Pheu Thai Party’s Inclusion Advisory Committee. Her nomination for prime minister followed the sudden removal from her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin. “I hope I can do my best to help the country move forward,” Paetongtarn saidShe acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly in the areas of economics and political competition, but also stressed her determination to lead despite her lack of previous experience in government.
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The big picture: Paetongtarn’s election underscores the continued power of the Shinawatra family in Thai politics, despite years of military coups and legal interventions that have toppled governments associated with it. Her rise to power is seen as part of a broader political deal between her father and conservative factions, who sidelined the more progressive Move Forward Party. Paetongtarn’s leadership is expected to stabilise the Pheu Thai Party’s position, but the political landscape remains precarious, with deep divisions and potential challenges from unelected institutions such as the Constitutional Court.
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