Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended lawmaker Pita Limjaroenrat, a top candidate for prime minister after his liberal Move Forward Party garnered the most support in May’s national elections. Pita failed to secure the position of prime minister last week after being voted down by the Senate, which was appointed after a military coup in 2014. Pita has pledged to reform the military and the all-powerful Thai monarchy. He addressed his fellow lawmakers earlier today, following his suspension.

Pita Limjaroenrat: “I think Thailand is not the same anymore ever since May 14. We have come only halfway from the people’s victory, and there is another half to go. As I can no longer perform my duties, I would like to ask fellow members of Parliament to continue to look after the people.”