The parliament, sitting for the first time since the 2021 coup, is filled with Min Aung Hlaing's loyalists. Around 90% of its members owe their loyalty to him, either as serving officers in the armed forces—which are guaranteed a quarter of the seats—or as elected candidates for the military's own party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party. This composition ensures rubber-stamp approval for his presidency and other military-backed initiatives.
Min Aung Hlaing has already stepped down as armed forces commander, as required by the constitution before he can take the post of president. He has chosen a staunch loyalist, General Ye Win Oo, to replace him as commander-in-chief. Ye Win Oo has a reputation for brutal treatment of dissidents.
To maintain ultimate authority, Min Aung Hlaing has created a new consultative council, which will exercise paramount authority over civilian and military affairs. The new administration will essentially be just an expanded version of the current military junta, but in civilian clothes, making this civilian rule in name only.
The general elections, held between December and January, were touted by the junta as a pathway to peace. However, the vote was widely viewed as a sham, with many popular parties banned from standing and large areas of the country not allowed to participate because of the civil war. The regime has rejected criticism of the election, maintaining that the vote was free and fair.
This election occurred amid an ongoing civil war that has devastated Myanmar. In the ensuing conflict, thousands of people have been killed and millions have been displaced. Large areas of the country remain under the control of armed opposition groups.
Ye Win Oo's background includes playing a central role in the February 2021 coup, leading troops that arrested Aung San Suu Kyi during the operation that toppled her government. He is the first intelligence chief to lead Myanmar’s military.
Internationally, the appointment is seen as a way to give the appearance of civilian rule, despite the military retaining power and strengthening its position with support from China. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s security forces have been accused by UN investigators of perpetrating systematic abuses, including torture and killings in detention facilities.