Myanmar parliament dominated by pro-military party convenes after 5 years

"The opening of the new parliament on Monday followed phased elections in December and January, which the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) dominated amid low voter turnout and no viable opposition. A quarter of the available seats in the upper and lower houses—166 seats—were reserved for the military, and the USDP won 339 of the rest."

"During Monday's session, Khin Yi, the chairman of the military-backed USDP, was elected speaker of the lower house. He is a former general and police chief, widely regarded as a close ally of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's military ruler."

"In addition, a new five-member panel, the Union Consultative Council, will be established in what some experts have called a superbody that would allow Min Aung Hlaing to maintain his grip on both the military and civilian administration."

Myanmar's parliament opened for the first time since the 2021 military coup following phased elections in December and January. The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won 339 of the available seats, while 166 seats were reserved for military members. Twenty-one other parties secured between one and twenty seats each, with major opposition parties excluded from running. Voter turnout remained low due to lack of viable opposition. Khin Yi, a former general and close ally of military ruler Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, was elected speaker of the lower house. A new Union Consultative Council will be established as a superbody to maintain military control over both military and civilian administration.

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