Myanmar steps into Suu Kyi era

Hundreds of newly elected legislators, a majority of them from pro-democracy lea-der Aung San Suu Kyi’s party on Monday began a Parliament session that will install Myanmar’s first democratically-elected government in more than 50 years.

The session marks a historic turnaround for the National League for Democracy party, which for years was suppressed by the military. The party won 80 per cent of the elected seats in general elections in November for the upper and lower houses, qualifying it to form a government.

Ms Suu Kyi entered the cavernous Parliament building without making a comment. She took a seat alone for the short opening session which saw the legislators sworn in and the appointment of a close ally, Win Myint, as Lower House Speaker.

“Today is a day to be proud of in Myanmar’s political history and for the democratic transition,” Mr Myint said.

The new government faces a daunting rebuilding task in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries where the economy has been crushed by generations of junta rule.

Many NLD MPs are also political novices, unskilled in the business of government. They will have to swiftly adapt to a treacly decision-making process in a legislature where unelected soldiers occupy 25 per cent of all seats.

Ms Suu Kyi is barred from being President by a military-scripted Consti-tution because she married and had children wit-h a foreigner. She has vowed to sidestep this hurdle by ruling “above” a proxy President, altho-ugh she has yet to reveal her choice for the role. While there is no clear schedule for the selection of candidates, it could be within days. Elected members of both houses and the military will nominate three candidates to succeed President Thein Sein, who retains his post until the end of March.

Observers are closely watching Ms Suu Kyi’s relationship with the still powerful military, which holds key ministries as well as the 25 per cent parliamentary bloc.