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Samak accepts Thai PM nomination | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thailand's Samak Sundaravej has accepted his party's nomination as prime minister - two days after he was forced to quit the post. | |
The People Power Party said Mr Samak had done nothing wrong and wanted to see his return to the post. | |
The move is likely to be opposed by the PPP's coalition partners, as well as thousands of protesters who have sought Mr Samak's resignation. | |
Mr Samak was forced out after he was found to have flouted the constitution. | |
His appearances on a TV cookery show were deemed by a Constitutional Court on Tuesday to have flouted constitutional rules by accepting illegal payments. | |
Parliament votes | |
"Samak has accepted his nomination for prime minister," said PPP spokesman, Suthin Klangsang. | |
"Samak said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post." | |
POLITICAL CRISIS 26 Aug: Protesters occupy government buildings, demand the government step down28 Aug: PM Samak promises no use of force against the protesters30 Aug: Samak rules out resignation, after meeting with Thailand's king 1 Sept: A late-night clash between pro- and anti-government groups leaves one dead. Samak declares a state of emergency4 Sept: Samak proposes a national referendum9 Sept: Court orders Samak to resign for violating constitution class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Bangkok protests | |
He had earlier told a news conference that the majority of the PPP "supports Samak as candidate for prime minister". | |
The decision is likely to enrage the thousands of protesters who have been holding a sit-in outside Government House calling for Mr Samak's resignation. | |
They accuse him of being a proxy for Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in an army coup in 2006 amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power. | |
They have said they do not want any member of the PPP to become the next prime minister. | |
The PPP's five other coalition partners also made it clear that they wanted a different prime minister. | |
Parliament is due to elect a new prime minister on Friday. | Parliament is due to elect a new prime minister on Friday. |