BANGKOK – Thailand’s parliament elected Yingluck Shinawatra as the country’s first woman prime minister yesterday after the political novice won the support of more than half of the lawmakers in a televised vote.
The 44-year-old businesswoman, who was unopposed, won the 251 votes required to follow in the footsteps of her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire overthrown in a 2006 coup and now living in self-imposed exile.
Ms Yingluck, whose political career began only 11 weeks ago, must wait for endorsement in her new position by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which it was thought could come as early as last night , before she officially takes up her post. – (Reuters)
