On Wednesday, Htin Kyaw was sworn in as Myanmar's new president, becoming the first civilian to nominally lead the Southeast Asian country since the military took control in 1962. Htin Kyaw took the oath of office during a ceremony in parliament, followed by his two vice presidents and 18 ministers. Most prominent of the ministers is Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Htin Kyaw's National League for Democracy party who is barred from being president by the military-written constitution. Suu Kyi, who is now foreign minister, has made no secret of her plan to run the country behind the scenes, and Htin Kyaw, one of her longtime confidants, alluded to that in his speech, saying "the new parliament and new government are formed in accord with the policies of the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi."
Hours after the swearing-in ceremony, outgoing President Thein Sein, a former general, shook hands with his successor and handed over a letter formally transferring power. Htin Kyaw said in his speech that he has "the obligation to work toward achieving a constitution that has democratic norms and is suitable for the nation," but among the military junta's remaining powers is 25 percent of seats in parliament reserved for military officers, a large enough bloc to sink any unfavorable constitutional changes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Shoot to Kill: Terror on the Tube – a 'raw' and 'riveting' docuseriesThe Week Recommends Channel 4's 'gripping' two-part show explores the Metropolitan police killing of an innocent man in the aftermath of 7/7
-
'Salute to those who served'Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
-
Europe's all-inclusive holiday trendThe Week Recommends Big US chains are capitalising on the 'recent surge' in package breaks to bring upscale resorts to Europe
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
