MYANMAR PRESIDENT RESIGNS
Htin Kyaw leaves due to ill health, says spokesman
CIVILIAN president Htin Kyaw has resigned with immediate effect “in order to take rest from the duties and responsibilities“, his office said in a statement posted on Facebook yesterday.
Myint Swe, the military’s appointment for vice-president, will become acting president until a new leader is elected by Parliament within seven working days.
Win Myint, a loyalist of Aung San Suu Kyi who has served as the speaker of the lower house, was likely to replace him, said National League for Democracy spokesman Aung Shin.
Win Myint has had a tight grip on Parliament and his critics accuse him of stifling democratic debate. He resigned from that post yesterday.
The president is the head of state and government in Myanmar, and has far-reaching powers. However, Htin Kyaw’s role was more ceremonial because Suu Kyi has been the country’s de facto leader since April 2016.
A constitution drafted by the former junta bars Suu Kyi from the top office, so she hand-picked Htin Kyaw to become president.
Aung Shin, said Htin Kyaw, 71, had stepped down due to ill health.
The president’s office did not give a reason for Htin Kyaw’s resignation.
“The next president will be an NLD member or one who suits NLD’s policy,” Aung Shin said.
“The current vicepresident cannot be the next president, according to the constitution.”