Suu Kyi takes her place in new democratic era of Myanmar’s history

Myanmar entered a new political era Monday as Aung San Suu Kyi’s pro-democracy MPs took their seats in parliament, bearing the hopes of a nation subjugated for decades by the military. Wearing pastel orange uniforms, lawmakers from the National League for Democracy (NLD) arrived for their first day of work in the capital Naypyidaw, buoyed by a massive popular mandate from November’s election. That poll saw the NLD wrest a majority from the army establishment and has spurred hopes of a new political dawn in the long-repressed nation. Suu Kyi, the focal point of Myanmar’s struggle for democracy, entered the cavernous parliament building without comment.

We don’t know exactly when the presidential election will happen. We cannot tell you anything about who will be nominated as the presidential candidates as well.

Zayar Thaw, an NLD legislator

The country will now choose a new president to succeed President Thein Sein, the former general who in 2011 launched dramatic political and economic reforms which culminated in the election. Suu Kyi herself is barred from the post by a military-scripted constitution because she married and had children with a foreigner. The 70-year-old has vowed to sidestep this hurdle by ruling “above” a proxy president, although she has yet to reveal her choice for the role. Suu Kyi may try to persuade the army to help her change the charter clause that blocks her path to power, analysts say, although it has so far baulked at any attempt to redraft it.

I hope this will be a good opportunity for us to speak out for the ethnic people and demand indigenous rights.

Lama Naw Aung, from the Kachin State Democracy Party

Myanmar