Thailand’s parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a 37-year-old political newcomer and daughter of influential politician Thaksin Shinawatra, as the country’s youngest prime minister, Reuters reports.
Paetongtarn secured her position with 319 votes, nearly two-thirds of the house, just a day after her ally, Srettha Thavisin, was dismissed as premier. She becomes Thailand’s second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to hold the position, following her aunt Yingluck and her father Thaksin. The Shinawatra family, known for its populist politics, had to ally with the military to form a coalition government following their first electoral defeat in over two decades.
Paetongtarn, who has no prior government experience, faces significant challenges including a struggling economy, growing competition from rival parties, and pressure to deliver on a major cash handout program. Despite the challenges, Paetongtarn expressed her commitment to moving the country forward.
