Myanmar parliament dominated by pro-military party convenes after 5 years

Myanmar's parliament convened on Monday, March 16, 2026, for the first time since the 2021 coup. The opening follows elections held in December and January, which were dominated by the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) due to the exclusion of major opposition parties. The USDP won 339 seats, in addition to the 166 seats reserved for the military. Khin Yi, chairman of the USDP and a close ally of military ruler Min Aung Hlaing, was elected speaker of the lower house. A new Union Consultative Council will also be established, which experts believe will allow Min Aung Hlaing to maintain control over both the military and civilian government. The previous election in November 2020 resulted in a landslide victory for Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which the military rejected, leading to the coup.

Myanmar's junta-proxy parliament convened for the first time in Naypyidaw since the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. The legislature is dominated by allies of coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, particularly the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which won 81% of seats in a recent election held across a limited portion of the country. Turnout was low at 50% in military-controlled areas, significantly less than previous elections. The USDP's chairman, retired brigadier-general Khin Yi, was elected lower house speaker. The bicameral parliament, known as the Hluttaw, includes hand-picked military officers, reserving one-quarter of all legislative seats for the armed forces, effectively granting the military control over the chamber and the power to determine the presidency.

Myanmar's junta-staged election will result in a new parliament convening next week, dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The USDP's overwhelming majority, securing over 80% of elected seats with approximately 44% of the popular vote, allows them to choose the president. Despite not formally leading the USDP, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's political ambitions, potentially including the presidency, will require negotiation with party leaders. Analysts will closely monitor any tensions between key figures for signs of instability within the ruling group. The USDP's victory has drawn attention away from its actual vote share.