To read this content please select one of the options below:

Myanmar’s ethnic parties will unite as polls approach

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Subject

Myanmar's political landscape ahead of next year's elections.

Significance

As the next general election appears on the horizon, parliament last month began debating possible amendments to the constitution. State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), which controls the civilian portion of government, wants to reduce the military’s reserved parliamentary quota. Meanwhile, the NLD faces increased criticism from parties representing the country’s ethnic minorities.

Impacts

  • There is unlikely to be any progress in the country's peace process, aimed at ending conflicts between the military and ethnic armed groups.
  • The military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party will aim to enhance its internal organisation.
  • As attention turns to the polls, the government will devote even fewer resources than currently to resolving the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Related articles

Expert Briefings logo