February 20th, 2007, 10:18
I can't believe that I didn't think of that. But it makes so much sense. Look at the USA. Not enough, at times, sure, but certainly a time to pull the plug. And though I oppose term limits on legislators in general, term limits on 'executives' is a good idea, let's hope it applies.
CDC limits future PMs to two terms
Members concerned to clip the wings of 'a deposed strongman like Thaksin'
The next prime minister should not stay in power for more than two consecutive terms, a subcommittee of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) concluded yesterday.
The panel chaired by Charan Phakdithanakul agreed the new charter should not allow a politician to run the country longer than two four-year terms.
If the Lower House is dissolved, it will still be counted as one term.
Panel member Praphan Naikowit, also an election commissioner, said the new rule would indirectly make the PM have second thoughts if he wanted to dissolve the House in a bid to escape censure debates or a political crisis undermining his power.
The panel had considered the issue for weeks. A number of the drafting members were concerned that a strongman like deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra would return to "haunt" Thailand's politics since his popularity among rural voters and his clout had not seemed to have faded.
The new charter should have immunity to protect the possibility of history repeating itself, it noted.
Meanwhile, the panel agreed that party-list MPs should be cut from the electoral system as it had been exploited by former ruling parties to pay back their key financial backers with the seats.
As the House under the new charter would consist of only 400 constituent MPs, the panel wants the PM to be more easily censured than under the defunct 1997 charter, which required 200 of 500 MPs in support.
During the six years under the Thaksin administration, he was untouched by the opposition as his government controlled the House with more than 300 MPs.
The panel agreed with the proposal that only 100 of 400 House members should be enough to launch a censure debate on the PM, while 80 MPs will censure a Cabinet member.
In a bid to free political parties from groups of influential or wealthy figures, a person is required to declare his or her financial donation to a political party.
A person could give financial support to any party but it should not exceed Bt2 million each per year, the panel stated.
All proposals of the Charan panel will be submitted to the 35-member CDC for approval, which will then pass them to the Constitution Drafting Assembly in mid-April.
THE NATION
CDC limits future PMs to two terms
Members concerned to clip the wings of 'a deposed strongman like Thaksin'
The next prime minister should not stay in power for more than two consecutive terms, a subcommittee of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) concluded yesterday.
The panel chaired by Charan Phakdithanakul agreed the new charter should not allow a politician to run the country longer than two four-year terms.
If the Lower House is dissolved, it will still be counted as one term.
Panel member Praphan Naikowit, also an election commissioner, said the new rule would indirectly make the PM have second thoughts if he wanted to dissolve the House in a bid to escape censure debates or a political crisis undermining his power.
The panel had considered the issue for weeks. A number of the drafting members were concerned that a strongman like deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra would return to "haunt" Thailand's politics since his popularity among rural voters and his clout had not seemed to have faded.
The new charter should have immunity to protect the possibility of history repeating itself, it noted.
Meanwhile, the panel agreed that party-list MPs should be cut from the electoral system as it had been exploited by former ruling parties to pay back their key financial backers with the seats.
As the House under the new charter would consist of only 400 constituent MPs, the panel wants the PM to be more easily censured than under the defunct 1997 charter, which required 200 of 500 MPs in support.
During the six years under the Thaksin administration, he was untouched by the opposition as his government controlled the House with more than 300 MPs.
The panel agreed with the proposal that only 100 of 400 House members should be enough to launch a censure debate on the PM, while 80 MPs will censure a Cabinet member.
In a bid to free political parties from groups of influential or wealthy figures, a person is required to declare his or her financial donation to a political party.
A person could give financial support to any party but it should not exceed Bt2 million each per year, the panel stated.
All proposals of the Charan panel will be submitted to the 35-member CDC for approval, which will then pass them to the Constitution Drafting Assembly in mid-April.
THE NATION