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ANFREL

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Thai parties meet for coalition talks to form government

Thai opposition parties, led by the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), held coalition talks after a decisive election victory. MFP, aiming to ally with the dominant Pheu Thai party and four smaller groups, needs over 300 seats in the lower house and a majority in the Senate to secure the prime minister’s position. Some junta-appointed senators are opposed to MFP’s leader, particularly due to his anti-establishment stance and plans to amend royal insult laws. The Bhumjaithai party also refused to support MFP over its stance on lese-majeste laws.

Thai govt should ‘reflect people’s will’: poll observers

Thailand’s regional poll observers from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) called for a government that reflects the will of the people as the opposition’s bid to take power faces resistance from junta-appointed senators. The progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) emerged as the biggest party, and ANFREL praised the high voter turnout and transparency of the election. The MFP and its allies are working on a coalition but need to secure a majority across both houses, including the Senate, to secure the prime minister’s job. Some senators have expressed opposition to MFP’s leader, raising concerns about proposed lese-majeste reforms.