Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is a political party in Myanmar widely considered to be backed by the country's military junta. It has become newsworthy due to its claimed sweeping victory in the recent three-phase general election held in January 2026. These elections have been widely criticized and labeled a 'sham' by democracy watchdogs, international bodies like ASEAN, and the UN, who cite the banning of popular parties, detention of opposition figures like Aung San Suu Kyi, and ongoing civil war preventing voting in many areas. Despite these criticisms, the USDP has declared a majority win. The military junta defends the election as free and fair, a return to democracy, but the international community largely views it as a way for the military to legitimize its rule and rebrand itself. The USDP's victory further entrenches the military's power amid ongoing conflict and international condemnation.