Aung San Suu Kyi’s close ally elected Myanmar’s president
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Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (R) and President-elect Htin Kyaw
Myanmar’s parliament has elected a close aide and lifetime friend to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as the next president of the country.
Htin Kyaw, 70, won with 360 of the 652 votes cast in the parliament on Tuesday.
Military-nominated Myint Swe came in second with 213 votes. Another candidate from Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), Henry Van Thio, received 79 votes.
According to Myanmarese law, the two will serve as first and second vice-president respectively.
President-elect Htin Kyaw is the son of veteran NLD member Min Thu Wun. His wife is a sitting NLD lawmaker, whose own late father was once party spokesman.
After the vote, Htin Kyaw praised his election as a victory for Suu Kyi, saying, “Victory! This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory. Thank you.”
He will replace outgoing President Thein Sein, who will step down in March or April after five years of army-backed rule.
EA
