The lower house of Parliament in Myanmar formally put forward Htin Kyaw, a writer and close adviser to democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as their choice for the country’s president. Kyaw has first been nominated as a vice-presidential candidate, as Myanmar’s president is chosen from a selection of vice-presidents.
The upper house nominated another candidate – Henry Ben Htee You, who belongs to the ethnic minority Chin group, and the military will recommend a third. However, 70-year-old Kyaw is considered the ruling National League for Democracy party’s favourite. The two candidates who lose will both be declared vice-presidents.
The final vote is expected to take place on Monday. Suu Kyi’s NLD party won an 80% majority in the polls held in November, giving Myanmar its first democratically elected government in more than 50 years. Suu Kyi is constitutionally barred from becoming president as her sons are British citizens. However, she has indicated that she will rule from above by placing someone who has her trust in the position.
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