Suu Kyi names presidential candidates
As expected, Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on March 10 named her close aide and former driver, charity leader Htin Kyaw, as candidate for the country’s president. It almost looks certain that he will get the post, with the announcement for the new leader due by end of this month.
In total, three candidates were put forward by Suu Kyi’s party and the military. Apart from Htin Kyaw, the National League for Democracy (NLD) chose Henry Van Hti Yu, an ethnic Chin representative and upper house NLD lawmaker. The military picked former speaker Khin Aung Myint.
With this nominations, it has become clear that that Suu Kyi herself will not become Myanmar’s next president, despite numerous talks on the matter have been held with the military.
Htin Kyaw’s nomination has been widely regarded as a choice to install a so-called “puppet president” as Suu Kyi always said that in fact she will run the government from behind the scenes and will remain in the center of politics. Described as “well respected,” with an “unimpeachable integrity” and “a very nice man”, Kyaw should be suited to fill the role, although to function as an outright place filler might not be the most flattering characteristics of a presidency. On the other hand, such things happen in other big nations too (guess where).
Suu Kyi is expected to take on the role of foreign minister. If not, the bet is placed on Htin Kyaw’s wife Su Su Lwin, NLD MP and chairwoman of the House of Representatives’ International Relation Committee.
The second NDP nomination comes somewhat as a surprise. Henry Van Hti Yu, 58, is himself a former military officer and is now an upper house MP for the Chin constituency which is among Myanmar’s poorest communities.
Incumbent President Thein Sein will formally step down on March 30, and the new president will address the nation on March 31.
[caption id="attachment_27808" align="alignleft" width="300"] Aung San Suu Kyi and Htin Kyaw (right)[/caption] As expected, Myanmar's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on March 10 named her close aide and former driver, charity leader Htin Kyaw, as candidate for the country's president. It almost looks certain that he will get the post, with the announcement for the new leader due by end of this month. In total, three candidates were put forward by Suu Kyi's party and the military. Apart from Htin Kyaw, the National League for Democracy (NLD) chose Henry Van Hti Yu, an ethnic Chin representative and upper house...
As expected, Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on March 10 named her close aide and former driver, charity leader Htin Kyaw, as candidate for the country’s president. It almost looks certain that he will get the post, with the announcement for the new leader due by end of this month.
In total, three candidates were put forward by Suu Kyi’s party and the military. Apart from Htin Kyaw, the National League for Democracy (NLD) chose Henry Van Hti Yu, an ethnic Chin representative and upper house NLD lawmaker. The military picked former speaker Khin Aung Myint.
With this nominations, it has become clear that that Suu Kyi herself will not become Myanmar’s next president, despite numerous talks on the matter have been held with the military.
Htin Kyaw’s nomination has been widely regarded as a choice to install a so-called “puppet president” as Suu Kyi always said that in fact she will run the government from behind the scenes and will remain in the center of politics. Described as “well respected,” with an “unimpeachable integrity” and “a very nice man”, Kyaw should be suited to fill the role, although to function as an outright place filler might not be the most flattering characteristics of a presidency. On the other hand, such things happen in other big nations too (guess where).
Suu Kyi is expected to take on the role of foreign minister. If not, the bet is placed on Htin Kyaw’s wife Su Su Lwin, NLD MP and chairwoman of the House of Representatives’ International Relation Committee.
The second NDP nomination comes somewhat as a surprise. Henry Van Hti Yu, 58, is himself a former military officer and is now an upper house MP for the Chin constituency which is among Myanmar’s poorest communities.
Incumbent President Thein Sein will formally step down on March 30, and the new president will address the nation on March 31.
