Bloc forms more working groups

Coalition in waiting eyes early start

The Move Forward Party (MFP) and its seven prospective coalition partners yesterday resolved to set up five more working groups tasked with assessing and working on major problems facing the public as the transition from a caretaker to a new government progresses.

The additional groups, each comprising representatives from all eight parties, will work on the economy and digital government, anti-corruption and bribery, public health with a focus on medical personnel shortages, social and economic equality and land reform, said MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat.

Mr Pita was speaking as the parties held a meeting at Pheu Thai’s headquarters.

“We hope to find answers to the questions [raised about these problems] even before we form a new government,” he said.

“There are four or five issues without clear answers that are waiting to be handled by the new government. It’s working in advance.”

Last week seven such groups were formed to work on high energy price matters, drought, unrest in the South, constitution rewriting, environmental problems and PM2.5 dust, economic hardship and problems facing SMEs, and drug suppression.

The working group on high energy prices has already analysed the pros and cons of a proposal to end the extension of an excise tax decrease on diesel due to expire on July 22, Mr Pita said.

Findings from a meeting of each of these seven working groups will be discussed at the next meeting of the eight parties, scheduled for today, he said.

In two or three weeks, these working groups may hold a mobile meeting in provinces where they can find out more about the problems they are working on, he said.

Ubon Ratchathani would be an ideal location for a mobile meeting for the working group tasked with preparing for the implementation of the new coalition’s progressive liquor policy, while the North will host the group discussing PM2.5 dust pollution, he said.

In related news, the cabinet has drafted a royal decree on convening the first meeting of the new parliamentary session but needs to leave the date of the meeting blank, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.

The first meeting will be called after the Election Commission certifies at least 95% of new MPs or about 475, he said, adding the exact date will be added later before the draft decree is formally submitted for royal approval.