National League for Democracy

The National League for Democracy (NLD) is the political party that formerly held power in Myanmar before the military coup in February 2021. Led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD won a landslide victory in the 2015 general election and again in 2020. The party's ouster and Suu Kyi's subsequent arrest triggered widespread protests and a civil war. The NLD is newsworthy due to the ongoing conflict and the military junta's attempts to legitimize its rule through elections widely condemned as a sham. Recent events include the junta holding a multi-phase election process amidst the civil war, with reports of low voter turnout and widespread criticism. Suu Kyi remains detained, having spent a significant portion of her life in detention. The NLD's struggle against military rule remains a key factor in Myanmar's political instability and humanitarian crisis.