Thailand gets youngest prime minister in history

(Patria) - The Thai parliament has confirmed the election of Paetongtarn Shinawatra (37) as the new prime minister.

Shinawatra is the youngest prime minister in Thai history and the second woman to hold the position.

Thailand has been plagued by coups and court rulings that have toppled multiple governments and political parties for two decades.

Accompanied by her father, dressed in military uniform, the 31st leader of the Thai government took the oath and paid tribute to the king.

Following the sudden dismissal of her predecessor, Shinawatra was the sole candidate of the 11-party coalition led by her party "For Thais".

- I would like to thank everyone - both those who voted for me and those who did not - I promise to serve everyone equally and with all my heart - regardless of age, gender, and differences.

Let us together turn all challenges into opportunities so that Thailand becomes a place where everyone can dream, create, and shape their future - said Shinawatra.

The new prime minister could not avoid mentioning her father - a former prime minister.

- I hope I can ask my father for advice whenever I want, but I am independent, I have my own ideas and goals, although all his comments are important to me - she stated.

Shinawatra was elected after the Constitutional Court unexpectedly dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, whose political rise was as swift as his fall.

He was removed by the Constitutional Court for allegedly violating ethical principles and destabilizing the political situation.

The decision on his dismissal came after yet another shock and decision, again by the Constitutional Court, to dissolve the main opposition party "Move Forward", which had gained popularity by proposing reform of the currently untouchable monarchy and military.

The new prime minister, a mother of two and former director of a hotel chain, is the fourth leader from the powerful Shinawatra dynasty, following an uncle, father, and aunt. The latter two were ousted in a coup and exiled from the country.

After renouncing some ideas, her father Thaksin was allowed to return to Thailand, and over the past weekend he was also covered by a royal pardon.

The prime minister, criticized for political inexperience, advocates for increasing the minimum wage, stricter measures related to drug trafficking, revising the constitution, and abolishing military conscription.

Her main challenges will be how to revive the stagnating economy, halt the decline in her party's popularity, and avoid potential military coups and court decisions that have doomed a series of her predecessors.