A trusted aide of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi was a step closer to becoming the country’s first civilian leader in generations after sailing through a parliamentary vote on Friday, while the still-powe
A trusted aide of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi was a step closer to becoming the country’s first civilian leader in generations after sailing through a parliamentary vote on Friday, while the still-powerful military put forward a hardline retired general as its vice-president nominee.
Htin Kyaw, a respected writer who helps run Ms Suu Kyi’s charitable foundation, was seen as the top choice to act as a proxy for the democracy veteran who is barred from the office by a junta-scripted Constitution.
One further vote of approval is needed in the combined houses dominated by Suu Kyi-loyalists before Htin Kyaw can officially be anointed leader of the nation that has been run by the military for decades.
His parliamentary confirmation comes as the military put forward their own candidate, Yangon chief minister Myint Swe, a retired Army general seen as an ally of former strongman Than Shwe.
The decision is likely to prove controversial in a country still burdened by the legacy of nearly 50 years of rule by the military, which retains significant influence including a quarter of the Parliament’s seats.
Friday marked the second time Myanmar’s military has chosen Myint Swe, who is linked to the deadly crackdown on democracy rallies lead by monks in 2007, for the vice-presidency.
He was first put forward under the former quasi-civilian government in 2012, but soon disqualified under the same charter clause that blocks Ms Suu Kyi because his son-in-law was an Australian citizen.
A military spokesperson declined to comment about whether this issue has been resolved.
Ms Suu Kyi is beloved by many in Myanmar and the uncontested figurehead of the country’s long democracy struggle, but months of negotiations have failed to convince the military to change a statute clause that blocks her from the top office.
She has nevertheless vowed to rule “above” the next President as she strives to meet the soaring expectations of millions of voters who handed her National League for Democracy party a thundering election win in November.
The combined Houses are expected to vote between three candidates next week, with a new President set to replace outgoing President Thein Sein at the end of March.
With the NLD dominating both Houses, Htin Kyaw is likely clinch the top post with a comfortable lead.
