Myanmar’s former junta chief elected president by parliament

ISTANBUL

Former Burmese military junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was elected Myanmar’s 11th president on Friday after winning more than half the votes in parliament.

Lawmakers in the Union Parliament in the capital Nay Pyi Taw backed Min, 69, securing his victory in the presidential election, state media MRTV reported.

Of 584 lawmakers present, Min -- nominated by representatives of the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) -- received 429 votes, according to Xinhua News.

Myanmar has a bicameral legislature with 664 seats, including 440 in the lower house and 224 in the upper house.

Coup leader since 2021

Min served as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, from 2011 until stepping down in March to run for the presidency. He was succeeded by former intelligence chief Ye Win Oo, who assumed the role earlier this week.

He has effectively ruled Myanmar since leading a military coup in 2021 that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover led to the dissolution of her National League for Democracy party and intensified an ongoing civil war.

Following five years in power, Min oversaw a three-phase election process beginning in late December that resulted in a victory for pro-military parties, including the Union Solidarity and Development Party. The new parliament convened for its first session on March 16.

During his tenure as military chief, Myanmar faced international condemnation over the persecution of the Rohingya minority. A military campaign launched in 2017 forced more than 1 million Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.

In November 2024, International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan sought an arrest warrant for Min, saying there were “reasonable grounds to believe” he bore responsibility for crimes against humanity, including deportation and persecution of the Rohingya.

In 2019, Gambia filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya, a case defended at the time by then-leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
China extends support

China congratulated Min shortly after the results were announced.

“China follows a policy of friendship towards all the people of Myanmar and supports its new government in maintaining peace and stability and pursuing development and prosperity,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.