As the military-dominated parliament cedes power to Aung San Suu Kyi’s pro-democracy party, one fundamental question remains unanswered: Who will be Myanmar’s next president?
Suu Kyi is the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party and, armed with a massive popular mandate from November’s election, she is the natural choice to lead the country.
But the democracy figurehead is barred from the presidency by a junta-era constitution.
“The Lady” as she is known in Myanmar has sought to sidestep that problem by vowing to rule “above” a proxy leader, whose identity remains a mystery.
But no one in Myanmar comes close to filling the Nobel laureate’s shoes in terms of popularity and political clout, so many still think the 70-year-old can cut a path to the presidency.
On Sunday, quoting two pro-government television channels in Myanmar, The Guardian have reported that “positive results” could come out of negotiations between the incumbent military chief and Suu Kyi on suspending a constitutional clause that prevents her from becoming the president.
In separate but identical broadcasts late on Sunday, Sky Net and Myanmar National Television said “positive results could come out on the negotiation for the suspension of the constitution article 59 (f).”
Article 59 (f) bars anyone with a foreign spouse or children to become the president of the country. Both of Suu Kyi’s sons are British citizens.
According to the reports, Suu Kyi has been negotiating with Army chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing on having the clause suspended, which can be legally removed only through a two-thirds vote in parliament. The military holds 25% of the nominated seats in parliament, which means the NLD cannot scrap the clause on its own. For that she would need to convince the military to agree to change the constitution.
Quoting some Yangon-based diplomats, Reuters reported that Min Aung Hlaing might be tempted to compromise in return for a pledge from Suu Kyi that she would not infringe on the military’s vast economic interests nor seek revenge for abuses under years of junta rule.
As well as burnishing his legacy, such a move would also put responsibility for fixing an impoverished country riven by decades of ethnic conflict squarely on Suu Kyi, they say.
The New York Times on Friday cited two senior members of the NLD as saying that talks with the military have included a possible deal that would allow Suu Kyi to be president in exchange for senior government posts. It did not name the party leaders and said details of the negotiations were murky.
But a top military lawmaker on Monday denied that Suu Kyi’s NLD and the armed forces were discussing provisions to change the constitution.
“I think everything will be fine,” Kyaw Htwe, a member of the central committee of the NLD, said while talking to the British top daily. “The negotiations will be positive for our leader Aung San Suu Kyi to become president,” said Htwe, who is also a member of parliament.
Meanwhile, joint chamber speaker of the Myanmar’s newly-formed parliament told the House that the process of electing a new president will begin on March 17, cutting very close to an April 1 deadline, the day the new government is scheduled to begin its term., reports Reuters.
Observers say the deadline suggested that talks between Aung San Suu Kyi’s victorious party and the military are likely to take longer than planned.
Suu Kyi, whose independence hero father is considered the founder of Myanmar’s modern army, has sought to smooth thorny relations with the military in recent months.
But the military has thus far staunchly rejected any significant constitutional amendment.
Observers say a deal on this would have to involve a hefty sweetener to reassure the army that its huge political and economic powers are not under threat.
Aung San Suu Kyi has said previously that even if she doesn’t become president she would run the country from behind the scenes. But clearly, the NLD would prefer the 70-year-old icon of democracy to lead the country, having struggled almost all her life for it.
On Friday, a legal advisory committee consisting of experts and members of the lower house was launched, led by Shwe Mann, the former head of the military-tied Union Solidarity and Development party. One of the few Aung San Suu Kyi allies in the defeated ruling party, Shwe Mann is believed to be supportive of a constitutional change.
