Yingluck Shinawatra’s announcement allowed her to portray herself as being committed to reconciliation with her foes, who are vowing to step up their ongoing civil disobedience to disrupt elections scheduled on 2 February. The developments only served to highlight the seeming intractable nature of a crisis that is splitting the country and paralyzing governance. The longer the stalemate the more chance of serious street violence and a military coup. Yingluck said the council would not be a government body, and its 499 members would be appointed by an independent commission, including the commander of the armed forces, business and academic leaders and economists. It would be tasked with amending the constitution and addressing corruption and money in politics and ensuring electoral reform.