Myanmar Parliament Meets After 5 Years with Military Majority

Myanmar held its first parliamentary session in over five years on 16th March after elections that excluded major opposition parties. As a result, the ruling military and its allies dominate the legislature.

The military had blocked the previous parliament from convening after seizing power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi during the 2021 Myanmar coup d’état. Since then, it has governed without a legislature.

In the new two-chamber parliament, the military and its allies hold nearly 90% of the seats. The former ruling National League for Democracy and other opposition parties were either barred from contesting or refused to participate. They cited unfair conditions.

Lawmakers arrived in Naypyitaw for the opening of the 373-seat lower house under heavy security. The 213-seat upper house is scheduled to meet on 18th March, followed by regional assemblies two days later.

Under the military-written constitution, 166 of the 586 parliamentary seats are reserved for the armed forces. Additionally, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party secured 339 seats in the recent elections.

The elections were held in phases across 263 of the country’s 330 townships in December and January. However, critics said the vote was an attempt by the military government to legitimise its rule following the coup that triggered widespread unrest and civil conflict.

The new parliament’s first task will be to elect speakers for both houses. After that, it will select a president and two vice presidents. Military leader Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to become president.

Meanwhile, an opposition shadow legislature was formed by lawmakers blocked after the 2021 coup — the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. This group also held an online session and claimed to be Myanmar’s legitimate parliament.

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