A Thai court found Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guilty of violating the constitution on Wednesday and said she must step down, prolonging a political crisis that has led to violent protests and brought the economy close to recession.
Reuters reports that the decision is bound to anger supporters of Yingluck, but the court did allow ministers not implicated in the case against her to stay in office, a move that could take some of the sting out of any backlash on the streets.
After the ruling, the cabinet said Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan, who is also a deputy prime minister, would replace Yingluck, and the caretaker government would press ahead with plans for a July 20 election.