Thailand’s parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its youngest prime minister on Friday. This comes just a day after she was thrust into the spotlight amid an ongoing power struggle between the country’s elite groups.

The 37-year-old, who has no prior government experience, faced a challenging situation as she assumed the role. This followed the dismissal of her ally, Srettha Thavisin, as premier by the judiciary, a key player in Thailand’s political instability for the past two decades.

Paetongtarn’s success as prime minister could significantly impact the legacy and political future of the Shinawatra family. Their once-dominant populist movement suffered its first electoral defeat in over 20 years last year and had to form a coalition with their rivals in the military.

She will be Thailand’s second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to hold the top position after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra and her father Thaksin, a highly influential and controversial figure in Thai politics.

In her first remarks to the media as prime minister-elect, Paetongtarn expressed sadness and confusion over Srettha’s dismissal and stated that it was time for her to step up.

“I talked to Srettha, my family and people in my party and decided it was about time to do something for the country and the party,” she told reporters.

“I hope I can do my best to make the country go forward. That’s what I’m trying to do. Today I’m honored and I feel very happy.”

Paetongtarn’s victory was decisive, with 319 votes, nearly two-thirds of the house. Following the vote, she posted a photo of her chicken rice lunch on Instagram with the caption: “The first meal after listening to the vote.”

Paetongtarn’s appointment is a significant gamble for Pheu Thai, the party led by her father Thaksin. She has no prior experience in government, and her leadership will test the family’s political influence.

She will face immediate challenges on various fronts. The economy is struggling, competition from rival parties is growing, and Pheu Thai’s popularity is waning after failing to deliver on its flagship 500 billion baht ($14.25 billion) cash handout program.

Thailand’s benchmark stock index, SETI, rose about 1.1% by 0900 GMT on Friday, having lost almost 9% this year.

“The Shinawatras’ gambit here is risky,” said Nattabhorn Buamahakul, Managing Partner at Vero Advocacy, a government affairs consultancy.

“It puts Thaksin’s daughter in the crosshairs and a vulnerable position.”

The removal of Srettha after less than a year in office highlights the hostility Paetongtarn might face. Thailand has been caught in a turbulent cycle of coups and court rulings that have disbanded political parties and toppled multiple governments and prime ministers.

The Shinawatras and their business allies have been at the center of this crisis, which pits parties with widespread appeal against a powerful alliance of conservatives, wealthy families, and royalist generals deeply entrenched in key institutions.

Nine days ago, the same court that dismissed Srettha over a cabinet appointment dissolved Move Forward Party, the winner of the 2023 election, for advocating changes to the law against insulting the monarchy. The court argued that this could undermine the constitutional monarchy.

Move Forward Party, a hugely popular opposition party and Pheu Thai’s primary challenger, has regrouped under a new name.

Recent events indicate a breakdown in the fragile truce between Thaksin and his rivals in the establishment and military, which allowed his dramatic return from 15 years of self-imposed exile in 2023 and enabled his ally Srettha to become prime minister on the same day.

Thaksin’s decision to put Paetongtarn in this crucial position surprised many analysts. They expected him to postpone his dynasty’s leadership and avoid exposing his daughter to the battles that led to the downfall of himself and his sister Yingluck, who both fled the country to escape jail after their governments were overthrown by the military.

“This is a big bet for Thaksin. There is a possibility for her to fail and that is a big risk for the entire Shinawatra dynasty,” said Titipol Phakdeewanich, a political scientist at Ubon Ratchathani University.

“If she can’t bring the economy back and bring the party back then it could be the end because the People’s Party is gaining more momentum after their dissolution.”