Myanmar Junta Chief Min Aung Hla Elected Vice President

On Tuesday, Min Aung Hla, the chief of Myanmar's junta, was elected as vice president of the lower house of parliament, a move that consolidates military power in the country's governance following the 2021 coup that ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The election process involved members of parliament dropping ballots into three clear side boxes, with Min Aung Hla receiving 247 out of 260 votes.

This election is part of a broader transition where the military is expected to maintain significant control over the government, as warned by democracy watchdogs. The junta chief's ascension to vice presidency is seen as a step towards potentially becoming the country's civilian leader, with the third vice president to be chosen through a military parliament vote.

The military has historically positioned itself as a stabilizing force in Myanmar, especially following decades of political unrest and a brief period of democratic reforms that began in 2011.