Myanmar elects Htin Kyaw as first civilian president in decades

Myanmar elects Htin Kyaw as first civilian president in decades
1 hour ago


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Htin Kyaw, left, newly elected president of Myanmar, walks with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, rightImage copyrightAP

As well as being a writer himself, Htin Kyaw is the son of a national poet and the son-in-law of a founder of the pro-democracy movement

Myanmar's parliament has elected Htin Kyaw as the country's next president, the first civilian leader after more than 50 years of military rule.

Htin Kyaw is a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November.

He said his appointment was "Aung San Suu Kyi's victory".
Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post by the constitution, but has said she will lead the country anyway.

How Suu Kyi could be more powerful outside the presidency
Htin Kyaw won with 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament, with MPs erupting into applause when the result was announced.
"Victory! This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi's victory. Thank you," Htin Kyaw said after winning.

The end result when it finally came was entirely as expected, with a landslide victory for Ms Suu Kyi's man, Htin Kyaw.
Given the miseries that this country has suffered this was another incredible momentous occasion.

But if she was enjoying it , or reflecting on the sacrifices that were made to get here, Ms Suu Kyi gave no indication. Just as she has done since the election in November, the former pro-democracy campaigner avoided the media and made no public comment.
No doubt acting on her instructions (a taste of what's to come no doubt) Htin Kyaw remained elusive.

Burmese across the country gathered in teashops and homes to watch the voting broadcast live from parliament

Despite her popularity and prominence in Myanmar - also known as Burma - Ms Suu Kyi could not take the presidency herself.
A clause in the constitution, widely seen as being tailored against her, says anyone whose children have another nationality cannot become president. Her children hold British passports.

Despite weeks of negotiation prior to the vote, the NLD were unable to persuade the military of Myanmar to remove or suspend the clause to allow Ms Suu Kyi to take office.

However, Ms Suu Kyi has previously said that she would be "above the president" anyway, ruling through a proxy.


Read more:
Myanmar elects Htin Kyaw as first civilian president in decades - BBC News