Government Offers Four Days for Censure Debate

On October 23, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Pharadon Preechananangkul addressed the censure debate schedule, stating definitively that no debate would occur next week because the House Speaker had already set the regular meeting agenda. Regarding the government's offer of four days for opposition debate, Pharadon explained that after negotiations, First Deputy Speaker Mallika Jirapanwanich, acting as meeting chair, asked him to consult the Cabinet on whether they could extend by one additional day following the Cabinet meeting on October 26. The Prime Minister and Cabinet agreed and would attend a special Cabinet meeting at parliament with only essential agenda items to allow the opposition to perform its duties fully, resulting in the four-day offer. However, the opposition has not accepted. "If they claim the Prime Minister and government are blocking opposition duties, I would counter that historically it has been four days. The opposition cites a maximum of 40-42 hours during the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, but we offered 45 or 48 hours if they wanted. The government made concessions and would use time efficiently, but received no positive response, leading the Speaker to set the regular agenda because agreement couldn't be reached," Pharadon said. Asked about November or December possibilities, Pharadon said further negotiations would be needed. He noted November's first week is packed for the Cabinet, especially after the Prime Minister returns from abroad, with a mobile Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani and the World Flora Expo. The following week involves several ministers among the 18 facing charges who may have overseas trips, such as Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi attending APEC. The third week is impossible as the Prime Minister attends APEC. The fourth week should be avoided because the opposition would accuse the government of stalling. Therefore, next week was set, but negotiations must resume in November to find a viable window. Asked if a November debate would reduce chances of five days, Pharadon noted the opposition's latest position: five days if next week, but only four days if November. The government would then consider four days of debate plus one day for voting, totaling five days.