Min Aung Hlaing is nominated president as Myanmar parliament convenes, following election criticised for excluding major opposition parties.
Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing has been nominated for the presidency as parliament convened on Monday, following a general election that excluded the country’s main opposition parties.
Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to be confirmed, having been nominated alongside two loyalists considered unlikely to challenge his bid.
The military leader, who has been sanctioned by several Western countries, led a coup five years ago that plunged Myanmar into a prolonged civil conflict. Since then, thousands have been killed and millions displaced, with large parts of the country remaining under the control of armed opposition groups.
The general elections, held between December and January, were presented by the junta as a pathway to peace. However, the process was widely criticised as lacking credibility, with major political parties barred from participating and voting unable to take place in significant areas due to ongoing violence.
The military government has rejected those criticisms, insisting the election was free and fair.
Despite that, around 90% of lawmakers in the newly formed parliament are aligned with Min Aung Hlaing, either as military appointees who automatically hold a quarter of parliamentary seats or as members of the armed forces’ political party.
Parliament is expected to spend the week deliberating on the presidential selection, but his emergence is seen as inevitable.