Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing has been nominated for the presidency as parliament convened on Monday, following a general election from which the biggest opposition parties were excluded. Min Aung Hlaing is certain to be chosen, as he was nominated in parliament alongside two loyalists who are very unlikely contenders for president. He has been sanctioned by many Western countries for leading a military coup five years ago.
In the ensuing civil war, thousands of people have been killed and millions have been displaced. Large areas of the country remain under the control of armed opposition groups. The general elections, held between December and January, were touted by the junta as a pathway to peace. However, the vote was widely viewed as a sham, with many popular parties banned from standing and large areas not allowed to participate due to the civil war. The regime has rejected this criticism, maintaining the vote was free and fair.
Despite the criticisms, around 90% of the members of Myanmar's new parliament are loyal to Min Aung Hlaing, either as serving officers in the armed forces—guaranteed a quarter of the seats—or as candidates for the military's own party. They plan to spend most of this week debating the choice of the next president, but it seems inevitable that the coup leader will get the job.
Min Aung Hlaing has long sought the presidency, and the prospect of not acquiring it following the military party's poor performance in the 2020 election was a key factor behind the coup that ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. However, if he becomes president, he must relinquish command of the armed forces, which poses risks given unrest among senior commanders.
He has appointed General Ye Win Oo, known for his brutal treatment of dissidents, as his successor. Despite this, Min Aung Hlaing is expected to establish a new consultative council to maintain authority over military and civilian matters. Observers suggest the new administration will merely be an extended version of the existing military junta, and there has been no indication that a change in course or an end to violent suppression will occur.
In the ensuing civil war, thousands of people have been killed and millions have been displaced. Large areas of the country remain under the control of armed opposition groups. The general elections, held between December and January, were touted by the junta as a pathway to peace. However, the vote was widely viewed as a sham, with many popular parties banned from standing and large areas not allowed to participate due to the civil war. The regime has rejected this criticism, maintaining the vote was free and fair.
Despite the criticisms, around 90% of the members of Myanmar's new parliament are loyal to Min Aung Hlaing, either as serving officers in the armed forces—guaranteed a quarter of the seats—or as candidates for the military's own party. They plan to spend most of this week debating the choice of the next president, but it seems inevitable that the coup leader will get the job.
Min Aung Hlaing has long sought the presidency, and the prospect of not acquiring it following the military party's poor performance in the 2020 election was a key factor behind the coup that ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. However, if he becomes president, he must relinquish command of the armed forces, which poses risks given unrest among senior commanders.
He has appointed General Ye Win Oo, known for his brutal treatment of dissidents, as his successor. Despite this, Min Aung Hlaing is expected to establish a new consultative council to maintain authority over military and civilian matters. Observers suggest the new administration will merely be an extended version of the existing military junta, and there has been no indication that a change in course or an end to violent suppression will occur.
