Thailand’s government said on Monday it has proposed new elections be held on February 2, hours after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the Lower House of Parliament in a bid to calm the country’s deepening political crisis.
Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi told The Associated Press that the date was proposed during a Cabinet meeting in Bangkok.
Jinthong Intarasri, a spokeswoman for the Election Commission, said electoral officials will meet with the government in the next few days to discuss it.
The surprise moves came as more than 150,000 protesters vowing to overthrow Ms. Yingluck’s government marched peacefully through the capital’s streets for a “final showdown.”
Analysts said the elections are unlikely to satisfy opponents who want to rid Thailand of the influence of Ms. Yingluck’s powerful family. The protesters are pushing for a non-elected “People’s Council” to replace her democratically elected government.
Ms. Yingluck had said in a televised speech earlier she would remain in a caretaker capacity until a new Prime Minister is elected.
