Thailand: Thailand’s two main opposition parties, Move Forward and Pheu Thai, have agreed to form a ruling coalition after they trounced military-backed rivals in a weekend election that has controlled the government for nearly a decade. Despite their victory, both parties may face difficulties in securing enough support due to parliamentary rules that have been drafted by the military in favour of its allies following a coup in 2014.

The junta-appointed Senate, which has a history of favouring conservative parties led by generals, has the power to vote on the prime minister in a bicameral sitting of the 750-member legislature. Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Move Forward, proposed an alliance of six parties that would have 309 seats, and he would be the prime minister, but they would still fall short of the 376 seats required to guarantee his appointment as prime minister.

Asked about the upper house Senate, Mr. Pita noted that all sides must respect the election outcome, and there is no use going against it.

“I am not worried, but I am not careless. It will be quite a hefty price to pay if someone is thinking about debunking the election result or forming a minority government,” the Move Forward leader told a press conference.

Pheu Thai, controlled by the billionaire Shinawatra family, stated that it agreed with Mr. Pita’s proposal and wished him luck in his efforts to become prime minister.

The party had won most seats in every election this century, including twice in landslides, but met its match against Move Forward as it came close to a sweep of the capital Bangkok and made gains in some Pheu Thai and conservative strongholds.

WORLD ROUNDUP: Elon Musk appoints Linda Yaccarino as new Twitter CEO