economy key to House dissolution

PM says economy key to House dissolution

Published: 1/09/2009 at 12:00 AM

The House could be dissolved after the government's measures to tackle the country's economic crisis start to bear fruit from December to February, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.

A source quoted the prime minister as telling high-level participants yesterday at an advanced course on political development at the Election Commission that three conditions would have to be met before the House could be dissolved.

The first was that the economy must be back on track. That was expected to take place from December to February when the government's stimulus package began to yield fruit.

The second was that all parties must be in agreement on the election rules.

The third condition was that an election would end political conflict and a House dissolution and fresh polls could raise the country from crisis.

Mr Abhisit said a decision to dissolve the House would also depend on members from all political parties being allowed to campaign freely without hindrance from opposing sides.

He attributed the political conflict to two major factors: the misconception that a majority vote was always correct and that the law was being used as a political tool.

To break the political stalemate, all sides must take a step back. But in doing so, they must not affect the rule of law and the country's main institutions must continue to exist and not be offended.

Yesterday's course was titled "Thai Politics in a Situation of Conflict". Reporters were excluded.

Source : bangkokpost.com