Myanmar has its first civilian president in half a century

On March 15, Myanmar's parliament elected a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi as the country's first civilian president in more than 50 years. President-elect Htin Kyaw hailed his election as a victory for Aung San Suu Kyi, who is constitutionally barred from becoming president.

Mr. Htin Kyaw - New President of Myanmar (Source: thestandard.com.hk)

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Htin Kyaw declared: "Victory! This is a victory for my sister Aung San Suu Kyi. Thank you."

Htin Kyaw became Myanmar's second president after the military returned power to a civilian government in 2011. Aung San Suu Kyi's close ally, the leader of the NLD, won the presidency with 360 votes, or more than a third of the 652 votes cast. Lawmakers applauded as Htin Kyaw's victory was announced, after a lengthy hand-count in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.

Mr. Htin Kyaw becoming president of Myanmar is not surprising because Mr. Htin Kyaw was considered the "heaviest" candidate from the beginning.

The newly elected Myanmar President is expected to take office on April 1.

Mr. U Myint Swe - the chief minister of Yangon region and a close aide of Senior General Than Shew, was elected as First Vice President.

Mr. U Myint Swe is the candidate of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), nominated by the military.

The position of Second Vice President belongs to Mr. U Henry Van Htee Yu - also a candidate of the NLD party and nominated by the Senate./.

According to Vietnam+