Wednesday, August 26, 2009

PM URGES CABINET TO VOTE FOR THE 2010 BUDGET BILL

       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday displayed his leadership qualities when he urged the Cabinet to vote for the 2010 budget bill and said that if the voting was found to be unconstitutional, his administration would readily step down.
       The Parliament is scheduled to deliberate on the budget bill during its second and third reading today and tomorrow.
       The Cabinet did not vote for the 2010 budget bill in the first reading when the Lower House was undecided on whether its acceptance of the bill in principle might be considered unconstitutional.
       During the Cabinet meeting yesterday, Abhisit said he would vote for the budget bill regardless.
       "Nobody needs to be afraid. If the bill is wrong, I and everybody else will step down. Whether my decision is in line with the Constitution Court or not, is another matter,'' he said.
       Council of State secretary-general Pornthip Jala informed the Cabinet that ministers who are also MPs could not vote in the no-confidence motion against the prime minister and other minsters.
       Ministers who are MPs can vote for issues that do not concern their own interest. For instance, if a minister or MP owns or is involved in the liquor industry, they cannot vote on bills involving excise tax on the product on the grounds of conflict of interest.

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