Deadlock over names delaying ambassadorial nominations
Summary
The government has delayed ambassadorial nominations to 13 countries amid divisions within the ruling party over candidate names. The Foreign Ministry’s open application process has been complicated by demands for inclusive representation, proposed military appointments, and plans to close several diplomatic missions.
Key Points
- The government has postponed recommending ambassadors to around a dozen countries because ruling party leaders have not agreed on the names.
- The Foreign Ministry received more than 4,400 applications and narrowed the field to a few hundred candidates after screening duplicates and incomplete forms.
- Disputes within the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party and lobbying for former army generals have further complicated the selection process.
- The government has also decided to close some embassies and consulates, forcing the Foreign Ministry to redraw its appointment plan.
