By THE IRRAWADDY
21 March 2018
YANGON — Myanmar’s Lower House Speaker U Win Myint
submitted his resignation on Wednesday after President U Htin Kyaw’s sudden
departure the same day, prompting speculation that he will be Myanmar’s next
president.
If this is true, U Win Myint, a National League for
Democracy (NLD) senior member, will be the tenth President of Myanmar since
independence in 1948.
The new president will be appointed by Parliament within
seven working days, according to the country’s Constitution.
The house speaker’s resignation was announced during a
meeting of Parliament on Wednesday, while U Win Myint was on official leave.
The 67-year-old is believed to be one of Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi’s favorites among other senior NLD members. He became the Lower House
speaker in February 2016 after the NLD won the general election in 2015.
During his time in the Lower House, the former lawyer was
known for his strict discipline. He did not tolerate discussions that were off
topic during parliamentary meetings. Even Union ministers were not free from
his stern warnings, not to mention lawmakers, including those from the
military.
U Htin Kyaw Resigns
Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw resigned from his post, the
President’s Office announced on Wednesday, just shy of two years in office.
The short announcement made on Wednesday morning stated
that the president was stepping down “as he wants to retire from his duties.”
Constitutionally, the new president will be appointed
within seven working days, according to the statement.
Currently, the country’s Vice President 1, U Myint Swe, a
former lieutenant general, will serve as acting president.
U Htin Kyaw was the first head of the state elected by
Parliament after the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy
government came to power in 2016 after a landslide victory in the previous
year’s general election. He is a close confidant of de facto leader Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi.
In his critics’ eyes, the soft-spoken elderly man was
merely a “puppet president.” While he is formally the head of state and
constitutionally the highest authority in the land, the amount of actual power
he wields is questionable. “The Lady,” as State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
is known, had already made it known during the election campaign that she would
be “above the president,” as the Constitution bans her from holding the office.
It is an open secret in Myanmar who has the final say on matters of state.
Since last year, the public knew of the 71-year-old
president’s ill health due to his frail appearance and absence from some state
functions. He also received medical treatments overseas.