The previous prime minister to serve without a mandate from the people spoke out yesterday against the electorate’s right to choose the next.

Speaking on Constitution Day, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who had unsuccessfully sought the premiership before being appointed to the post in 2008, said it would be a mistake to allow people to directly elect the next prime minister.

Abhisit said a popularly elected prime minister with a mandate could use that as an excuse to abuse their power and “use the popular mandate as a claim to do anything at all,” according to the Bangkok Post.

Abhisit heads the Democrat Party, which has been unable to win a majority since 1992.

Some on the junta-appointed “National Reform Council” have suggested Thailand should continue representative Democracy and permit the public to choose its top leadership in elections; however, others have supported a system with a stronger parliament and weaker executive.

The council will meet Monday to consider the balance of proposals made so far for “at least 29 hours,” according to state media.

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