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.
