Myanmar Parliament Convenes for First Time Since 2021 Coup

Tokyo — Myanmar’s military-dominated parliament convened on Monday for the first time since the 2021 coup that toppled civilian rule.

The regular session of the Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house, took place following general elections criticised as “flawed elections” in late December and January, in which the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) secured a landslide victory.

A total of 263 elected parliament members gathered, with nearly 88 per cent hailing from the USDP, alongside 110 military-appointed members, in the lower house chamber in the capital Naypyitaw for the inaugural session.

Critics contend the elections represented a deception designed to further entrench military power.

The National League for Democracy (NLDM), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, was disbanded by the junta three years ago.

The elections also took place amid expanding armed conflict across the country.

Khin Yi, chairman of the USDP and former general, was elected as chairman of the lower house on Monday, whilst Maung Maung Ohn, also a former general and current junta information minister, became vice-chairman.

Myanmar has been largely governed by the military since 1962. The civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which was toppled and she remains imprisoned, held power from 2016 until the coup in February 2021.

The Amyotha Hluttaw, or upper house, with a majority of pro-junta members, is scheduled to convene on Wednesday (18 March).

A joint session of both chambers will be held to commence the process of selecting Myanmar’s new president. The junta stated that the new government will be launched in early April.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, is widely expected to become Myanmar’s new president.