Myanmar parliament convenes as army prepares for new era of ruleMyanmar's junta chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing stands outside a polling station during the second phase of a general election in Yangon on Jan 11, 2026. The gathering of the new parliament comes after a recent phased election dominated by the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) amid low voter turnout and no viable opposition. USDP chairman and retired brigadier-general Khin ​Yi was elected lower house speaker on ⁠Monday. "It is merely a manoeuvre by the military leadership to shift power from their left hand to ⁠their right hand," he said. A commentary in Monday's state-run Global New Light of Myanmar on the formation of parliament said the entire country was hoping for the best political conditions where the national interest is ‌prioritised.

Source: Bangkok Post March 16, 2026 12:06 UTC