Simonia Aida

Myanmar 2026: a New Military-Political Elite

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2026, №1(70), 164-181

 
Annotation: Former Army Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing became the 11th President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (RSM). The inauguration took place on April 10, 2026, at a joint session of both chambers. Unlike his patron, the previous leader of the military junta, senior General Tan Shwe, who had no presidential ambitions, Min Aung Hlaing had plans to take over the post, and they were never a secret. But before the presidential elections, a new political elite was appointed, in particular, the heads of the legislative branch – the speakers and vice-speakers of both houses of parliament. Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing has resigned and appointed a successor. As part of the Burmese New Year amnesty, President Min Aung Hlaing released President Win Myint after five years in prison.

Keywords: Myanmar, presidential elections, parliament, armed forces, military-political elite, Min Aung Hlaing, president Win Myint