AMN /
After more than 50 years of military rule, Myanmar has elected its new president . The new leader, Htin Kyaw, is a close confidant of Aung San Suu Kyi whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November last year.
Htin Kyaw was chosen as the new president by Parliament today. He won 360 of 652 votes cast by Myanmar’s two legislative chambers. In second place was military-nominated Myint Swe, who received 213 votes, followed by the other NLD candidate, Henry Van Thio, who got 79 votes.
Htin Kyaw will replace Thein Sein who will step down at the end of the month after five years of army-backed rule. Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post of president due to a constitutional clause, but has said she would be above the president.