Retired Myanmar general set for powerful role in new parliament, sources say

Reuters:

Feb 25 – A retired general from an army-backed party that swept Myanmar’s election is set to take the powerful role of speaker of parliament, party sources said, which could help the military cement control of government after a return to democratic rule.

A junta that has run Myanmar since a 2021 coup will formally cede power after a new parliament meets next month, with the top generals expected to loom large in politics after a resounding election win by the Union Solidarity and Development Party, which the military formed in 2010.

Three USDP sources told Reuters the party’s chairman, Khin Yi, a retired brigadier general and former police chief, is tipped to take the pivotal post of lower house speaker.

In that role, he would oversee the election of a new president, the passage of laws and the approval of budgets and key state appointments.

The USDP did not respond to requests for comment on Khin Yi’s future role.