Myanmar’s junta leader nominated Min Aung Hlaing on Monday to hold a parliamentary vote to choose the country’s next president, in a move that could formalize his rule in a civilian context.“I nominate General Min Aung Hlaing as vice president,” MP Kyaw Kyaw Htay said during a House of Representatives session, according to state media. Under this process, three vice-presidents will be selected, one of whom will become president.Min Aung Hlaing was simultaneously nominated as vice-presidential candidate and replaced as military commander, and former spy chief Ye Win Oo was appointed as the new commander-in-chief at a ceremony in Naypyidaw, according to local media reports.
This development paves the way for the junta leader to transition from military rule to a civilian leadership role, as required under Myanmar’s constitution. He currently serves as acting president.Min Aung Hlaing has led Myanmar since the 2021 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The army arrested Suu Kyi and dissolved her party, leading to a protracted civil conflict.Earlier this year, pro-military parties won an indisputable victory in elections supervised by the junta, which were widely criticized by democracy watchdog organizations.If a president is elected, the move is expected to reinforce criticism that the military is consolidating its power under a civilian guise.
