Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a candidate endorsed by the Pheu Thai-led coalition in Thailand, was elected as the new prime minister on Friday after securing a simple majority in a parliamentary vote.
During the parliamentary session, Paetongtarn was the sole nominee for the position of prime minister, following the recent court ruling that led to the dismissal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin due to an ethics violation earlier this week.
After a roll call that extended for nearly two hours, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the President of the National Assembly, declared that Paetongtarn garnered 319 votes in favor from the current 493 legislators, surpassing the simple majority needed for her election.
At 37 years of age, Paetongtarn, who leads the Pheu Thai Party and is the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is now awaiting formal appointment by Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, which will make her the second female prime minister and the youngest to hold this office in Southeast Asia.
In her post-vote speech, Paetongtarn expressed gratitude to her predecessor, Srettha, for his dedication during his nearly one-year tenure as prime minister and pledged to continue diligent efforts for the people.
“I really hope that I can make people feel confident that we can create opportunities, improve the quality of life and empower all Thais,” she said at the Pheu Thai headquarters.