Chaturon urges PPP not to bow to junta's pressure

"Although the Council for National Security has hinted that Samak is unacceptable for the job, I think People Power should not waver in its stand in order to uphold the campaign pledge on leadership," he said.

Should the party compromise and relace Samak, this will erode the public trust, he said.

He said he opposed any attempts by military leaders to meddle in the naming of the prime minister and the Cabinet members.

He argued that he had no personal interest in supporting Samak but wanted to uphold the democratic principles, including the precedents for the winning party leader to lead the coalition.

He went on to call on the Election Commission to endorse the balloting outcome of all 480 House seats instead of a partial endorsement of 95 per cent, accounting for 456 seats, a minimum number required for the convening of Parliament scheduled for Monday.

Most of 24 unendorsed seats belong to MPselect from People Power and this might distort on the majority votes to elect the prime minister, he said.

The Nation