Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing has been formally nominated for the presidency, in a move widely seen as cementing his grip on power five years after the coup that dismantled democratic institutions. On Monday, lawmakers in Naypyitaw’s lower house selected the 69‑year‑old general as one of two vice‑presidential candidates. The upper house nominated Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) lawmaker Nang Ni Ni Aye. A third candidate will be put forward by military representatives, who hold a quarter of parliamentary seats under the constitution. From these three, parliament will elect the new president, with the two remaining figures serving as vice presidents. The nomination follows elections held in December and January, won by the military‑backed USDP but dismissed as a sham by the United Nations and Western governments. Major parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, were excluded, and voting was restricted to areas under junta control. Although Min Aung Hlaing has stepped down as commander‑in‑chief, analysts say he will continue to wield decisive influence over the armed forces through loyal appointees and new mechanisms such as the Union Consultative Council, which he is expected to chair. The council will oversee security, foreign policy and legislation, effectively allowing him to retain military authority under a civilian title. Critics argue the transition is little more than a rebrand. The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar described the new administration as “a puppet government,” warning foreign governments not to recognise it. “A confected title and a costume change won’t fool anyone,” said Yanghee Lee, a member of the group. Min Aung Hlaing’s pursuit of the presidency has spanned more than a decade. Initially expected to retire after one term as military chief, he remained in power through constitutional manoeuvres and seized control outright after the military’s defeat in the 2020 elections. For many in Myanmar, the nomination signals not renewal but entrenchment. The country remains locked in civil war, with resistance forces and ethnic militias controlling large areas. Despite recent gains, the military continues to face fierce opposition, while China and Russia provide political and military backing to the regime. As parliament prepares for the final vote, Min Aung Hlaing’s path to the presidency appears assured. Yet for ordinary citizens, the prospect offers little hope of change in a nation scarred by conflict and repression. -2026-03-30
