Myanmar’s parliament elects ruling general as president, keeping the army in charge

Myanmar's parliament elected General Min Aung Hlaing as the country's new president on Friday. Min Aung Hlaing led the military coup in 2021 that ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. He has maintained control of the country for the past five years. The election of Min Aung Hlaing as president ensures the military will remain in power in Myanmar. The event took place in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.

Myanmar's coup leader, Min Aung Hlaing, was elected president by the country's pro-military parliament on Friday, securing 429 out of 584 votes. This formalizes his control five years after the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, leading to widespread protests and armed resistance. The election, held in December and January, was won by the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party in a landslide, with critics denouncing it as a sham to legitimize military rule. Min Aung Hlaing's move to president follows a leadership reshuffle in the armed forces, which he led since 2011, and fulfills what analysts say has been a long-held ambition. The two runners-up in the presidential vote became vice presidents.

Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has been appointed president by a parliament largely composed of military loyalists following elections held in limited areas of the country. This move is seen by critics as a superficial attempt to rebrand the junta leader as a civilian, despite the military's continued control. The appointment presents a dilemma for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has excluded Myanmar from summits since the 2021 coup. While some ASEAN members may seek to re-engage with Myanmar, others remain wary of legitimizing a military-backed government amid ongoing conflict and human rights concerns. The situation poses a challenge for ASEAN's approach to Myanmar and its efforts to resolve the country's political crisis.

In Myanmar, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing resigned from the armed forces, a move seen as paving the way for him to become president. This follows parliament clearing the path for his nomination. He has handed over the role of commander-in-chief to Ye Win Oo. Min Aung Hlaing led the 2021 coup, toppling Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government and dissolving her party, actions that triggered an ongoing civil war. He also oversaw heavily restricted elections in January, resulting in a victory for pro-military parties. Analysts describe these actions as a "constitutional repackaging of continued military rule" due to the military's significant control over parliament.

Myanmar's military junta is paving the way for coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing to become the country's civilian president. Lawmakers nominated him as a vice-presidential candidate on Monday, and he has been replaced as military commander. Min Aung Hlaing has ruled Myanmar since the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, triggering civil war. The move follows heavily restricted elections in January that were widely criticized and resulted in a victory for pro-military parties. Analysts suggest this transition allows Min Aung Hlaing to maintain power while attempting to legitimize his rule.

Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing, sanctioned by Western countries for leading a coup five years ago, has been nominated for president as parliament convened following general elections. The elections, widely criticized as a sham due to the exclusion of opposition parties and conflict zones, are viewed by the junta as a pathway to peace. With approximately 90% of parliament members loyal to him, Min Aung Hlaing is expected to be chosen as president. To assume the role, he must relinquish command of the armed forces, a move that carries potential risks given internal dissent. He has chosen General Ye Win Oo, known for brutal treatment of dissidents, as his replacement.