Democrat Party Proposes 2 Drafts to Amend Constitution, EISRs via Electronic Means

MGR Online•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Democrat Party has introduced two constitutional amendment proposals, advocating for the creation of 100 constitution drafters selected electronically and a new constitution within 240 days, requiring a 3/5 parliamentary vote for approval.

•The Democrat Party proposed two constitutional amendment drafts aiming to address the need for a new constitution.
•Key proposals include forming 100 Constitution Drafting Assembly members (EISRs) through electronic public input and expert selection.
•The process for drafting a new constitution is limited to 240 days, with a requirement for a 3/5 vote in Parliament for its approval.
•The party aims to preserve Chapters 1 and 2 of the current constitution while allowing for issue-specific amendments.

Overview

•On May 29, Abhisit Vejjajiva announced the Democrat Party's constitutional amendment proposals.
•The Democrat Party submitted two drafts for amending the constitution.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that Chapters 1 and 2 should be amended as specific issues, not as part of a new constitution.
•The proposals aim to reduce conflict and respect the Constitutional Court's ruling by not having all EISRs directly elected.
•The proposals follow a referendum on February 8 where the majority voted for a new constitution.
•The proposed Constitution Drafting Assembly will consist of 100 members.
•The proposals require a 3/5 vote from Parliament for approval before a referendum.
•The second draft proposes a 3/5 voting threshold for future constitutional amendments, removing current conditions on Senate or opposition votes.

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Key Quotes

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"The Democrat Party is not saying Chapters 1 and 2 cannot be amended, but believes amendments should be proposed issue by issue for clarity, not within the process of drafting a new constitution."

พรรคประชาธิปัตย์ไม่ได้บอกว่าหมวด 1 และหมวด 2 แก้ไขไม่ได้ แต่เห็นว่าหากจะมีการแก้ไข ควรเสนอเป็นรายประเด็นโดยเฉพาะ เพื่อให้เกิดความชัดเจน ไม่ควรรวมอยู่ในกระบวนการจัดทำรัฐธรรมนูญฉบับใหม่ทั้งฉบับ

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"This approach will help avoid past conflicts, avoiding arguments over Senate veto power or opposition party votes, while ensuring the constitution isn't passed by a simple majority, requiring 3/5 of Parliament."

แนวทางนี้จะช่วยหลีกเลี่ยงปัญหาความขัดแย้งแบบที่ผ่านมา ไม่ต้องเถียงเรื่องอำนาจวีโต้ของวุฒิสภา หรือเงื่อนไขเสียงจากฝ่ายค้าน แต่ยังคงหลักประกันว่ารัฐธรรมนูญจะไม่ผ่านด้วยเสียงข้างมากเพียงอย่างเดียว เพราะต้องใช้เสียงถึง 3 ใน 5 ของรัฐสภา

Key Entities

Organization

Democrat Party(ปชป.)ℹ️

A political party in Thailand that has proposed constitutional amendments.

Constitution Drafting Assembly Member(ส.ส.ร.)

The members proposed to be formed to draft a new constitution, with specific selection criteria outlined.

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The constitutional court whose rulings influence the process of constitutional amendment and EISR selection in Thailand.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The legislative body where constitutional amendment proposals are submitted and voted upon.

The Council of University Presidents of Thailand(ที่ประชุมอธิการบดีแห่งประเทศไทย)

An organization that will be responsible for determining the selection process for certain expert members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly.

Person

Abhisit Vejjajiva(นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️

Member of Parliament and leader of the Democrat Party, who presented the party's constitutional amendment proposals.

Law

List-MP(สส.บัญชีรายชื่อ)

A designation for a Member of Parliament elected from a party list, as held by Abhisit Vejjajiva.