Thai Court Orders PM Shinawatra to Step Down

Thailand's Constitutional Court has ordered Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down over abuse of powers.

The court's decision is binding, and applies to 9 of Shinawatra's cabinet members as well, the BBC reports. It ruled that the Prime Minister had acted illegally when dismissing her national security chief, who was elected by the opposition, in 2011. Allegedly, the move was done in order to advance one of her relatives up the ladder.

Thailand's political climate has been quite turbulent over the past decade, ever since the army ousted Yingluck's brother, Thaksin in 2006. The country remains polarized, with the rural population supporting the Shinawatra family, while the urban middle class accuse them of corruption.

Fierce anti-government protests began in the capital Bangkok in the fall of 2013, leading to some violent events and casualties.

The Constitutional Court's decision will be welcomed by the opposition supporters, but could spark new protests in the rural areas, experts predict.

It is not yet known how or when the next Prime Minister will be appointed.