Showing 1 - 5 of 5
Charter challenge
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 18/02/2019
» Pro-democracy forces in Myanmar have launched a new bid to change the country’s constitution. With 18 months left before the 2020 elections, the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) has initiated a process in parliament that it hopes will amend the military-drafted charter — and give the party an appealing campaign issue. It is the latest evidence that the country has been plunged into “Syndrome 2020” in the lead-up to the elections.
Myanmar's peace hangs in the balance
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/10/2018
» Myanmar's peace process is finely balanced, after the latest round of talks failed to produce anything of substance. Sitting comfortably and very relaxed, the chairman of the Myanmar ethnic rebel group, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), Yawd Serk was happy to offer his insights into the recent summit between the government and the leaders of the ethnic groups, which have signed the national ceasefire agreement (NCA). Reflecting on the meeting he simply said "very tense". The other ethnic leaders in attendance had a similar opinion: "high drama" according to one, on condition of anonymity.
Suu Kyi and army commander strike deal
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 27/02/2016
» Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will not push to be the new president, but instead will run the government from within the cabinet. The Lady — as she is widely known here — will appoint a proxy president, according to senior sources in the National League for Democracy (NLD). Instead, she will be either the foreign minister or senior minister in the cabinet, after the president is elected by the parliament toward the end of March, said a source in the NLD.
NLD believes Suu Kyi can be president
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 23/11/2015
» Myanmar's opposition leader is planning to be the country's next president after her party overwhelmingly won this month's polls. Although the constitution bars Aung San Suu Kyi from the position -- because she was married to a foreigner and her two children are foreign nationals -- she and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), are preparing to nominate her when parliament convenes at the end of January.
Stalled reforms herald a bleak future
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 10/12/2014
» With elections planned for this time next year, Myanmar's future is at a critical crossroads. At the same time, there is increased confusion over attempts to change the constitution and introduce proportional representation rather than the first past the post system as in previous elections.The speaker of the lower house Shwe Mann has announced there will be a referendum in May next year on some proposed amendments to the constitution, but that the charter will remain relatively unchanged before next year's election.Meanwhile, the National League for Democracy (NLD) is continuing its campaign to change the constitution, although it concedes this is unlikely before the next election.