Myanmar Elects Min Aung Hlaing as President

Myanmar’s parliament has elected former junta leader Min Aung Hlaing as president following a parliamentary vote.

The move comes after elections held in December and January that were widely criticized by the United Nations and Western governments as lacking credibility and aimed at legitimizing continued military rule.

Min Aung Hlaing stepped down as commander-in-chief earlier this week to run in the vote and secured the required majority in parliament, backed by the military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party, which won more than 80% of seats.

The 69-year-old has effectively led Myanmar since the 2021 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, who was later sentenced to 27 years in prison in proceedings widely condemned by rights groups.

He transferred command of the armed forces to Ye Win Oo, a close ally, earlier this week.

Myanmar has remained in a state of conflict since the coup, with tens of thousands killed and millions displaced.

Analysts say the transition reflects a formal shift in leadership structure rather than a fundamental change in power.