Naypyidaw: Myanmar's parliament is preparing to begin the process of electing a new president. Myanmar officials revealed today that the parliament will begin the process of selecting a new president on March 30. Most analysts predict the position will go to the leader of the military junta that came to power in a 2021 coup.
According to Thai News Agency, following a controversial general election that resulted in a victory for the military-backed party, the next step is to nominate presidential candidates from three bodies: the military, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. After a qualification process, Congress will vote to elect one person as president, while the other two will serve as vice presidents. However, officials have not yet specified a precise timeframe for the qualification process or the exact date of the vote.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the military junta, is being widely watched as a potential candidate for Myanmar's new president. Independent analyst Tin Kyaw Aye, based in Thailand, suggests that it is possible General Min Aung Hlaing will relinquish his position as commander-in-chief before March 30th, as the 2008 constitution prohibits government officials from holding the position of presidential candidate.
Mr. Tin Kyaw Aye further stated that the military and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which is backed by the military, will continue to dominate Myanmar's politics following the staggered elections held between December and January. He viewed this situation not as a transition to democracy, but rather a shift from military dictatorship to a civilian dictatorship.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021 after the military staged a coup, seizing power from the civilian government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. This event sparked widespread protests, which escalated into armed conflict against the military regime across the country and continue to this day.