Htin Kyaw wins historic vote in Burma’s parliament to become new president
Burma's new president, Htin Kyaw. Pic: AP.
HTIN KYAW, an aide and long-time confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has been voted in as Burma’s next president by the nation’s parliament.
Kyaw won 360 of 652 votes cast by Burma’s two legislative chambers, which are dominated by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
The 69-year-old, who will be Burma’s first civilian leader in decades after years of military rule, will replace current president Thein Sein next month.
Suu Kyi, who is barred by the constitution from becoming president, can be seen here casting her vote Tuesday.
NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi casts ballot for president. She'll be followed by 651 other lawmakers.
Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won a Nov. 8 general election by a landslide, gaining an overwhelming majority in both houses of parliament.
Her party nominated Htin Kyaw and another NLD lawmaker Henry Van Tio. A military bloc in parliament nominated Myint Swe, a hard-line retired lieutenant general.
Henry Van Tio and Myint Swe will become vice presidents.
Additional reporting from Associated Pres
