• Burmese
Thursday, June 19, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

NLD Patronage May Offer Shwe Mann Political Lifeline

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
February 4, 2016
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
NLD Patronage May Offer Shwe Mann Political Lifeline

 Shwe Mann speaker of the Union Parliament talks to reporters during his news conference after the last day of the Union Parliament session in Naypyidaw

7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

NAYPYIDAW — When news of his removal from the top post of the ruling party broke last August, most observers assumed Shwe Mann’s political career was all but over.

The former general’s fortunes took another hit when he lost in his native constituency of Phyu in Pegu Division in Burma’s general election on Nov. 8.

However, following the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s decisive electoral victory, Shwe Mann has seldom been far from the media spotlight. As outgoing parliament speaker, he attended the opening session of both houses of the legislature this week as well as a training session for NLD lawmakers on Tuesday.

RelatedPosts

Tree-Planting Hides Logging Frenzy; Moving Mountains for Steel Production; and More

Tree-Planting Hides Logging Frenzy; Moving Mountains for Steel Production; and More

June 14, 2025
575
Yadaya: How Myanmar’s Junta Boss Hopes to Hex His Way to Presidency

Yadaya: How Myanmar’s Junta Boss Hopes to Hex His Way to Presidency

May 29, 2025
1.8k
Junta Boss Hits Campaign Trail in Pursuit of Myanmar Presidency 

Junta Boss Hits Campaign Trail in Pursuit of Myanmar Presidency 

May 27, 2025
1.1k

He also confirmed on Friday that he arranged the surprise meeting between NLD chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi and ex-dictator Than Shwe in early December.

“Although he is no longer in power, U Than Shwe is still influential to some extent. So I arranged a meeting for them for the good of the country and the people,” Shwe Mann told reporters in the country’s capital.

Given his close ties to Suu Kyi, cultivated during his time as parliamentary speaker, speculation has mounted over whether Shwe Mann will be handed an influential political position under the NLD.

Sources close to Shwe Mann suggested to The Irrawaddy this week that the former speaker may be awarded a non-ministerial position, perhaps as head of the Constitutional Tribunal or as chair of the Union Election Commission (UEC).

According to official government protocol, the positions are ranked number eight and nine respectively in terms of seniority, with the presidential position occupying first rank.

“[Suu Kyi] is eyeing the UEC chairmanship for U Shwe Mann,” said a high-level official with the UEC. “It would be good as he is a man of fairness and does things right.”

The commission is currently chaired by former general Tin Aye, but he will leave the post when the current government’s term ends in March.

While the NLD’s top leadership appears behind the party’s embrace of Shwe Mann, a more formal arrangement may send ripples through the party’s ranks.

As the former number three in the previous military junta, Shwe Mann would not be easily accepted by many who endured years of persecution.

Shwe Mann is alleged to have played a role in planning the assault on Suu Kyi’s motorcade at Depayin in 2003, during which dozens of her supporters were clubbed to death by regime-backed thugs.

NLD central committee member Win Htein admitted to The Voice Daily last week that Shwe Mann’s past was cause for concern, in part, “as there are more than 100 [former] political prisoners among NLD MPs.”

“We have to take their feelings into consideration,” he told the local outlet.

Another source in the incumbent government said Shwe Mann would make a good fit as head of the Constitutional Tribunal, given his past dealings with the charter in Parliament.

“The NLD may send him to the tribunal as they are desperate to fix the charter,” the source said.

The charter of the nine-member tribunal, headed by former Supreme Court director general Mya Thein, stipulates members should be legal experts.

Shwe Mann holds a degree from Burma’s Defense Services Academy and, according to his official parliamentary bio, was trained as a High Grade Pleader, with the right to practice law.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: A_FactivaElectionParliament
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts
Analysis

Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts

by Hein Htoo Zan
September 20, 2024
16.7k

Three major operations to retake territory from ethnic armies and their allies are being hampered by troop shortages, experts say.

Read moreDetails
Former Myanmar 88 Gen Leader Opens People’s Party Office in Yangon 
Burma

Former Myanmar 88 Gen Leader Opens People’s Party Office in Yangon 

by The Irrawaddy
January 29, 2024
4.2k

Ko Ko Gyi has endorsed a junta election plan widely condemned as a sham aimed at cementing the military’s grip...

Read moreDetails
Junta Watch: Coup-Maker Blames China; Admits Defeats in Northern Shan; and More
Junta Watch

Junta Watch: Coup-Maker Blames China; Admits Defeats in Northern Shan; and More

by The Irrawaddy
August 3, 2024
3.8k

Also this week, state-run cooperatives revived amid shortages, holes in poll plan revealed, emergency extended, general lost in Lashio battle,...

Read moreDetails
Junta Watch: Billion-Dollar Myanmar Military ‘Outgunned’; Dictator Gets New Nickname; and More
Junta Watch

Junta Watch: Billion-Dollar Myanmar Military ‘Outgunned’; Dictator Gets New Nickname; and More

by The Irrawaddy
February 3, 2024
3.7k

Also this week, the regime’s election plan suffered another setback as the state of emergency was extended for another six...

Read moreDetails
China’s Geopolitical Maneuvering in Myanmar: A Tale of Influence and Infiltration
Guest Column

China’s Geopolitical Maneuvering in Myanmar: A Tale of Influence and Infiltration

by Vaishali Basu Sharma
August 9, 2024
3.4k

Beijing’s embrace of the junta’s election plan masks a strategy to deepen political and economic interference in neighboring country.

Read moreDetails
Junta Watch: Dictator Warns ASEAN; Dreams of Trains as Military Command Falls; and More  
Junta Watch

Junta Watch: Dictator Warns ASEAN; Dreams of Trains as Military Command Falls; and More  

by The Irrawaddy
August 10, 2024
3.3k

Also this week, the regime shut exit for conscripts, reacted to historic Lashio defeat, sought Russian rescue, and conceded capture...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Yangon Door2Door: Food Delivery Service with a Green Vision

Yangon Door2Door: Food Delivery Service with a Green Vision

Candidates Put Forward for Parliamentary Standing Committees

Candidates Put Forward for Parliamentary Standing Committees

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

3 days ago
1.6k
China’s Bet on Myanmar Junta Risks Backfiring

China’s Bet on Myanmar Junta Risks Backfiring

2 days ago
1.4k

Most Read

  • Timeline: Key Events in the Life of Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

    Updated Timeline: Key Events in the Life of Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China’s Bet on Myanmar Junta Risks Backfiring

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Attacks to Reclaim KIA’s Jade and Rare Earth Strongholds

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bago Resistance Claims 20 Myanmar Junta Personnel Killed

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.