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Myanmar elects Htin Kyaw as first civilian president in decades | Myanmar elects Htin Kyaw as first civilian president in decades |
(about 2 hours later) | |
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. | 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 said his appointment was "Aung San Suu Kyi's victory". | He said his appointment was "Aung San Suu Kyi's victory". |
Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post by the constitution, but has said she will lead the country anyway. | Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post by the constitution, but has said she will lead the country anyway. |
How Suu Kyi could be more powerful outside the presidency | How Suu Kyi could be more powerful outside the presidency |
Htin Kyaw won with 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament, with MPs erupting into applause when the result was announced. | Htin Kyaw won with 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament, with MPs erupting into applause when the result was announced. |
"Victory! This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi's victory. Thank you," Htin Kyaw said after winning. | "Victory! This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi's victory. Thank you," Htin Kyaw said after winning. |
At the scene: Jonah Fisher, BBC News, Nay Pyi Taw | At the scene: Jonah Fisher, BBC News, Nay Pyi Taw |
The end result when it finally came was entirely as expected, with a landslide victory for Ms Suu Kyi's man, Htin Kyaw. | The end result when it finally came was entirely as expected, with a landslide victory for Ms Suu Kyi's man, Htin Kyaw. |
Given the miseries that this country has suffered this was another incredible momentous occasion. | Given the miseries that this country has suffered this was another incredible momentous occasion. |
But if she was enjoying it , or reflecting on the sacrifices that were made to get here, Ms Suu Kyi gave no indication. Just as she has done since the election in November, the former pro-democracy campaigner avoided the media and made no public comment. | But if she was enjoying it , or reflecting on the sacrifices that were made to get here, Ms Suu Kyi gave no indication. Just as she has done since the election in November, the former pro-democracy campaigner avoided the media and made no public comment. |
No doubt acting on her instructions (probably a taste of what's to come) Htin Kyaw remained elusive. | |
The only time I saw Myanmar's next president was at the end of a cordoned-off corridor, waiting for the arrival of Ms Suu Kyi. | |
In second place was Myint Swe, who was nominated by the military and received 213 votes. A close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe, he is seen as a hardliner. | In second place was Myint Swe, who was nominated by the military and received 213 votes. A close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe, he is seen as a hardliner. |
He was followed by Htin Kyaw's running mate and ethnic Chin candidate Henry Van Thio, who got 79 votes. | He was followed by Htin Kyaw's running mate and ethnic Chin 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. |
The president is chosen from candidates put forward by each of the two houses of parliament, in addition to a third nominee from the military. | The president is chosen from candidates put forward by each of the two houses of parliament, in addition to a third nominee from the military. |
Who is Htin Kyaw? | Who is Htin Kyaw? |
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 all but guaranteed to win. |
But correspondents warn of increasing confrontation in parliament in the future as MPs push against an army determined to hold onto the powers it has under the constitution. | But correspondents warn of increasing confrontation in parliament in the future as MPs push against an army determined to hold onto the powers it has under the constitution. |
It still controls key security ministries and also has the power to veto any changes to the constitution as that would require more than 75% of parliamentary votes. | It still controls key security ministries and also has the power to veto any changes to the constitution as that would require more than 75% of parliamentary votes. |
Correspondents say that Htin Kyaw's election is widely supported among the Burmese people, as he has a solid reputation and is known to be trusted by Ms Suu Kyi. | Correspondents say that Htin Kyaw's election is widely supported among the Burmese people, as he has a solid reputation and is known to be trusted by Ms Suu Kyi. |
Despite her popularity and prominence in Myanmar - also known as Burma - Ms Suu Kyi could not take the presidency herself. | Despite her popularity and prominence in Myanmar - also known as Burma - Ms Suu Kyi could not take the presidency herself. |
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. |
Despite weeks of negotiation prior to the vote, the NLD were unable to persuade the military to remove or suspend the clause to allow Ms Suu Kyi to take office. | |
However, Ms Suu Kyi has previously said that she would be "above the president" anyway, ruling through a proxy. | However, Ms Suu Kyi has previously said that she would be "above the president" anyway, ruling through a proxy. |