Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing has been nominated for the presidency as parliament convened on Monday, following a general election from which the biggest opposition parties were excluded.
Min Aung Hlaing is certain to be chosen, as he was nominated in parliament alongside two loyalists who are very unlikely contenders for president.
He has been sanctioned by many Western countries for leading a military coup five years ago.
In the ensuing civil war, thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced. Large areas of the country remain under the control of armed opposition groups.
The general elections, held between December and January, were touted by the junta as a pathway to peace. However, the vote was widely viewed as a sham, with many popular parties banned and large areas of the country not allowed to participate because of the civil war.
The regime has rejected this criticism, maintaining that the vote was free and fair. Notably, around 90% of the new parliament members owe their loyalty to Min Aung Hlaing, either as serving officers in the armed forces or as elected candidates for the military's own party.
Although there are trade-offs, as the constitution necessitates that Min Aung Hlaing must relinquish command of the armed forces to become president, he has already selected General Ye Win Oo, a staunch loyalist known for his aggressive handling of dissent, to succeed him.
Overall, this administration is expected to resemble the current military junta but disguised in civilian attire. There is little indication that Min Aung Hlaing or his deputies will change their approach towards dissent, signaling continued repression following the coup.
