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Myanmar parliament elects first civilian president in decades Myanmar elects Htin Kyaw as first civilian president in decades
(about 1 hour later)
Myanmar's parliament has elected Htin Kyaw as the next president, the first civilian to lead the country after more than 50 years of military rule. Myanmar's parliament has elected Htin Kyaw as the country's next president, the first civilian leader after more than 50 years of military rule.
Htin Kyaw is a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November.Htin Kyaw is a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November.
He beat another NLD candidate and one put forward by the military. He said his appointment was "Aung San Suu Kyi's victory".
Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post due to a constitutional clause, but has said she would be above the president. Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post by the constitution, but has said she will lead the country anyway.
Htin Kyaw won with 360 of the 652 votes cast. How Suu Kyi could be more powerful outside the presidency
In second place was military-nominated Myint Swe, who received 213 votes, followed by the other NLD candidate, Henry Van Thio, who got 79 votes. Htin Kyaw won with 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament.
In second place was Myint Swe, who was nominated by the military and received 213 votes, followed by the other NLD candidate, Henry Van Thio, who got 79 votes.
They will serve as first vice-president and second vice-president respectively.They will serve as first vice-president and second vice-president respectively.
"Victory! This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi's victory. Thank you," Htin Kyaw said after winning.
Who is Htin Kyaw?Who is Htin Kyaw?
Htin Kyaw will replace Thein Sein who will step down at the end of the month after five years of army-backed rule. The NLD has a huge majority in both houses of parliament, despite the military occupying 25% of seats, so the candidate it backed was all but guaranteed to win.
The NLD has a huge majority in both houses of parliament, despite the military occupying 25% of seats, so the candidate it backed was always seen as all but guaranteed to win. Despite her popularity and prominence in Myanmar - also known as Burma - Ms Suu Kyi could not take the presidency herself.
Ms Suu Kyi could not run for president because a clause in the constitution widely seen as being tailored against her says anyone whose children have another nationality cannot become president. Her children hold British passports. A clause in the constitution widely seen as being tailored against her says anyone whose children have another nationality cannot become president. Her children hold British passports.
How Suu Kyi could be more powerful outside the presidency Despite weeks of negotiation prior to the vote, the NLD were unable to persuade the military of Myanmar to remove or suspend the clause to allow Ms Suu Kyi to take office.
Despite weeks of negotiation prior to the vote, the NLD were unable to persuade the military of Myanmar - also known as Burma - to remove or suspend the clause to allow Ms Suu Kyi to take office. But she has always said that she would be "above the president" anyway, with the president effectively acting as a proxy.
But she has always said that she would run the country anyway, with the president effectively acting as a proxy.