the soldiers beaten in the legislative elections, the pro-democracy opposition in search of a coalition

The two pro-democracy opposition parties in Thailand inflicted a severe defeat on Sunday, May 14, on the outgoing government supported by the army in the legislative elections. After garnering more than 14 million votes, the progressive Move Forward party is on course to become the main political force in the country. Its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, assured Monday that he was “ready to become the next Prime Minister”.

He claimed victory for his progressive movement, which is ahead of Pheu Thai (10.8 million votes), the other opposition force, with which he wants to form a coalition to gain power and succeed the pro-army government. The United Thai Nation Party, party conservative close to the army and led by outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, received only 4.6 million votes.

Record participation rate

The rejection by the younger generations of the outgoing government resulting from the 2014 coup d’etat fueled a record turnout of 75.22%. The balance sheet of Prayut Chan-O-Cha remains tarnished by a sluggish post-pandemic recovery. Human rights groups have also accused him of leading a large-scale crackdown on leaders of pro-democracy protests, misusing the law against the crime of lèse-majesté for political purposes.

The positions deemed radical in Move Forward, from the reform of the controversial article on the crime of lèse-majesté to the end of compulsory conscription, risk creating friction with the military-royalist elite which retains influence within the institutions. In a country marked by the interventions of the army and justice in the democratic process, observers fear a scenario which would limit the extent of the expected alternation, to the benefit of the military.