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Thailand: Temporary Charter Adopted Thailand: Temporary Charter Adopted
(35 minutes later)
Thailand adopted a temporary Constitution on Tuesday, taking its first step toward the return of electoral democracy after two months of military rule. But the charter allows the junta leader to hold substantial power even after an interim cabinet and legislature take office in September, saying he can “order, suspend or do any actions he sees necessary” for the benefit of reform and peace. The army, which overthrew an elected government in May, has said it hopes to have a new election by October 2015. Critics accused the army of planning to make the permanent Constitution less democratic by reducing the power of elected politicians and increasing the number of appointed legislators, with the goal of allowing the conservative, royalist elite to retain power. Significantly, the 48-article document makes no provision for a referendum on a permanent constitution that is to be drafted. Thailand adopted a temporary constitution on Tuesday, taking its first step toward the return of electoral democracy after two months of military rule. But the charter allows the junta leader to hold substantial power even after an interim cabinet and legislature take office in September, saying he can “order, suspend or do any actions he sees necessary” for the benefit of reform and peace. The army, which overthrew an elected government in May, has said it hopes to have a new election by October 2015. Critics charge that the army plans to make the permanent constitution less democratic by reducing the power of elected politicians and increasing the number of appointed legislators, with the goal of allowing the conservative, royalist elite to retain power. Significantly, the 48-article document makes no provision for a referendum on a permanent constitution that is to be drafted.