Rumours of cabinet reshuffle spectacularly dismissed by Paetongtarn
Rewritten Article:
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has nixed reports about a looming cabinet reshuffle, affirming the government's continued cohesion. She brushed off the buzz about possible shake-ups, citing the government's unity and unchanged status.
Grilled about the prospect of a reorganization amidst coalition tensions and calls for economic portfolio changes, the prime minister remained firm about her lack of reshuffle plans.
In her response, she calmed the nerves, "The landscape stays the same, and I'm mindful of opinion polls and open to all viewpoints. Change is inevitable, even the prime minister's seat. Let's stay composed."
The prime minister was equally unyielding when addressing the possibility of Bhumjaithai being axed and replaced by the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). "No reshuffle is in the pipeline at this juncture, not even if a Nida Poll public opinion survey suggests changes to the commerce and agriculture and cooperatives ministers," she asserted.
Admitting Pheu Thai's partnership with pro-military parties against its pledge, she defended this move by acknowledging that the majority was not achieved and that the question was somewhat belated, considering the partnership's 20-month lifespan.
The prime minister extolled the coalition unity and expressed satisfaction with each partner's efforts to execute government policies and yield results, despite obstacles. She also assured that she and her father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, may hold differing opinions, but they will never clash.
On a similar note, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai echoed no signals about a cabinet reshuffle from the prime minister. Accepting that Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai have contrasting views, he asserted they can be reconciled, and the alliance will persist as long as each party adheres to principles agreed upon during the coalition formation.
Klatham Party leader Narumon Pinyosinwat concurred with Mr. Phumtham, attributing the reshuffle talk to media and analysts rather than the prime minister. She said the party is content with its cabinet share, and in the event of a reshuffle, its quota would remain unaffected. She categorically denied rumors of lobbying for the interior minister post currently controlled by the Bhumjaithai Party.
PPRP secretary-general Paiboon Nititawan squashed the speculation about rejoining the coalition government.
While the prime minister denies a reshuffle, experts predict personnel changes by mid-2025, with a focus on economic ministries controlled by Pheu Thai, such as Finance and Commerce. Bhumjaithai, the interior ministry-holding party, is expected to remain a significant coalition partner, with only minor seat exchanges instead of major portfolio losses.
This delicate equilibrium between official denials and expert predictions points to the political tightrope that the Pheu Thai-led government must navigates.
- The prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has dismissed rumors of an imminent cabinet reshuffle, maintaining the government's current cohesion and unity.
- Despite coalition tensions and calls for economic portfolio changes, the prime minister has affirmed her lack of reshuffle plans, adding that change is inevitable but the current political landscape remains the same.
- Paiboon Nititawan, PPRP secretary-general, has denied speculation about rejoining the coalition government, suggesting that the current political dynamics may persist for some time.
- Experts, however, predict personnel changes by mid-2025, with potential shifts in economic ministries, such as Finance and Commerce, managed by Pheu Thai, while Bhumjaithai, the party controlling the interior ministry, is expected to maintain its significant role in the coalition.
