Thailand's parliament formally elected controversial telecoms tycoon Mr Thaksin Shinawatra as the country's new prime minister today, handing him an unprecedented mandate to carry out his populist promises.
"Now the real hard work will begin," Mr Thaksin told reporters.
"We will have to work hard and fast. The cabinet list will be finalised by February 12th . . . but the finance portfolio has not been decided. We have time to do that this weekend," he said.
Mr Thaksin received 340 of parliament's 500 votes. Four parties voted for him, including his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party which scored a runaway victory in the January 6 general election which swept the government of Mr Chuan Leekpai from power.
The vote was a formality as Mr Thaksin's coalition alliance easily had enough seats to ensure he would be named prime minister.
But although Mr Thaksin's coalition with the smaller Chart Thai and New Aspiration parties will allow him to dominate parliament, his political future still hangs in the balance.
Mr Thaksin was indicted by Thailand's National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) in December for failing to declare some of his wealth during previous ministerial terms.
Mr Thaksin denies wrongdoing. The court's deliberations could take months.
Another controversy, over alleged interference in television news coverage, flared up this week, sparking fresh criticism of the 51-year-old telecoms billionaire.
Independent Television (ITV) fired seven news anchors and reporters this week, accusing them of damaging the station's image by spreading false information.
Reuters