In a landmark session signaling its commitment to moving past a turbulent period of military dictatorship and undergoing autocratic reform, Myanmar’s rump parliament on Friday approved the ascendancy of General Min Aung Hlaing from his role as supreme leader of the ruling junta into the presidency and affirmed him as supreme leader of a civilian personalist dictatorship, the AP reports.
The impressive display of nationalist unity saw Hliang winning a clear majority, taking 429 out of the 584 votes from a unicameral parliament comprised almost entirely lawmakers from military-backed parties and appointed members from the army hold commanding majorities. Plus it helped that Hliang’s only two opponents were also military-approved loyalists – close Hliang adviser former General Nyo Saw and pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party ethnic Karen politician Nan Ni Ni Aye – both of whom were appointed as co-vice presidents to the new supreme ruler.