• Burmese
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
18 °c
Ashburn
  • 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

Observers Play down Prospects of Charter Change in Final Parliamentary Session

Nyein Nyein by Nyein Nyein
December 22, 2015
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Observers Play down Prospects of Charter Change in Final Parliamentary Session

National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi attends Burma’s first session of Parliament after the November 8 general election. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters)

3.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Political observers, including an incumbent lawmaker, have hosed down suggestions a constitutional clause that prevents Aung San Suu Kyi from assuming the presidency could be suspended in the current and final parliamentary session.

Earlier this month, ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) lawmaker Thura Aung Ko told the BBC’s Burmese service that Article 59(f) of the 2008 Constitution could be suspended with the support of a majority of lawmakers, allowing Suu Kyi to formally assume the country’s top post.

The article in question states that individuals whose children or spouse “owe allegiance to a foreign power” cannot assume the presidency, barring Suu Kyi because her late husband and children hold British passports.

RelatedPosts

Capitalizing on Calamity and Chaos in Myanmar

Capitalizing on Calamity and Chaos in Myanmar

April 12, 2025
3.2k
Myanmar Junta Kicks Off Poll Countdown Amid Quake Devastation

Myanmar Junta Kicks Off Poll Countdown Amid Quake Devastation

April 9, 2025
978
Quake Truce Shattered Amid January Poll Push; Dictator Bashed in Bangkok; and More

Quake Truce Shattered Amid January Poll Push; Dictator Bashed in Bangkok; and More

April 5, 2025
2.1k

While there is no constitutional provision related to the suspension of a given article, interpretations have varied as to whether the notion has currency.

Head of the Myanmar Lawyers Network, Aung Thein, told The Irrawaddy this week that “as there is no such limitation [on the suspension of a clause] described in the Constitution, Union lawmakers could bypass or suspend it with majority approval.”

“It all depends on the lawmakers who represent the public’s voice,” he said. “They can decide whether it should be temporarily dodged for a certain period, based on the reasoning that the clause could not be amended.”

Prior to the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s landslide victory in last month’s general election, Suu Kyi had repeatedly insisted she would be above any individual the party nominated for the role of president.

The NLD secured a sufficient majority on Nov. 8 to put forward two candidates for president, as selected by Lower and Upper House MPs, with military lawmakers selecting a third. The deciding vote is determined by the Union Parliament, which serves as the country’s electoral college.

The possibility of Suu Kyi assuming the presidency gained traction in some circles in recent weeks, following a meeting between the NLD leader and former dictator Than Shwe. During that surprise confab, according to Than Shwe’s grandson, the junta-era leader referred to Suu Kyi as “the future leader” of Burma and said he would assist her as best he could.

But other observers see little chance of legislative moves to enable a Suu Kyi presidency in the current parliamentary session, which is scheduled to conclude at the end of January.

“It is impossible to suspend [the clause] in the current parliament,” said Aye Maung, an incumbent lawmaker with the Arakan National Party who lost his seat in the Nov. 8 poll.

“We have to follow the constitutional procedures, as of chapter 12 of the Constitution. If we try to suspend the clause, in an unconstitutional way, that would affect the future parliamentarians’ efforts to amend that clause or other clauses.”

Aye Maung suggested that an NLD-dominated legislature in 2016 should push for amendments.

In June this year, Burma’s Union Parliament voted down changes to the junta-drafted charter, including Article 59(f), with military lawmakers, who make up 25 percent of the chamber’s MPs, wielding their effective veto power.

“We have waited for this long and we just have to wait a little bit more,” Aye Maung said. “The new lawmakers can mobilize the 25 percent of military representatives for the changes.”

Rangoon-based political commentator Yan Myo Thein agreed there was little likelihood of constitutional change during the Parliament’s final session. He also raised the prospect of further constitutional difficulties if Suu Kyi did manage to assume the top post.

“If she takes the role of President, she is constitutionally barred from leading the party, which would lead to difficulties for the party,” Yan Myo Thein said. “I am sure that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is also aware of that situation.”

Your Thoughts …
Tags: A_FactivaElectionParliament
Nyein Nyein

Nyein Nyein

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
4.1k

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
Women in Burma Conflict Zones Face Rape

Women in Burma Conflict Zones Face Rape, Lack of Healthcare—UN

Junta Leader Writes New Song

Junta Leader Writes New Song, Leaving Thais to Face the Music

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Fury Over China’s Support for Myanmar Junta Eclipses Quake Aid Gratitude 

Fury Over China’s Support for Myanmar Junta Eclipses Quake Aid Gratitude 

6 days ago
1.2k
Inside the Myanmar Junta’s Post-Earthquake Theater of Control

Inside the Myanmar Junta’s Post-Earthquake Theater of Control

6 days ago
1k

Most Read

  • Breaking the 60-Year Political Cycle in Myanmar

    Breaking the 60-Year Political Cycle in Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • At Least 11 Schoolkids Massacred in Myanmar Junta Air Raid in Sagaing

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A Troubling Message from China’s Ambassador to Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Chief Meets China’s Xi for First Time: State Media

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • KNU Hails Seizure of Myanmar Junta Base on Thai Border

    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.