Burma's Union Parliament Selects New President (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
March 18, 2016 |
| Report Number |
IN10464 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Martin, Michael F. |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
On March 15, 2016, Burma's Union Parliament selected Htin Kyaw, childhood friend and close advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi, to serve as the nation's first President since 1962 who has not served in the military. His selection as President-Elect completes another step in the nation's five-month-long transition from a largely military-controlled government to one led by the National League for Democracy (NLD). In addition, it also marks at least a temporary end to Aung San Suu Kyi's efforts to become Burma's President and may reveal signs of growing tensions between the NLD and the Burmese military. Htin Kyaw received the support of 360 of the 652 Members of Parliament (MPs), defeating retired Lt. General Myint Swe (who received 213 votes, of which 166 were from military MPs) and Henry Na Thio (who received 79 votes). The 69-year-old President-Elect is expected to be sworn into office on March 30, 2016. Myint Swe and Henry Van Thio will serve as 1st and 2nd Vice President, respectively. [â¦] Following the parliamentary elections, Aung San Suu Kyi met with Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing three times, reportedly to negotiate a deal to suspend or amend a provision in Burma's 2008 constitution that prevents her serving as President. Following the third meeting, the NLD moved forward the date for selecting candidates for President from March 17 to March 10, a decision that may have indicated that Aung San Suu Kyi had given up her effort to be selected as President at this time.
