The NLD plans to continue the negotiations even under the new government but must deepen trust with the military to give Suu Kyi a shot at becoming president.
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Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy (NLD) chairwoman, was named Tuesday on a list of 18 Union-level ministers announced by Burma’s Parliament, all but ensuring she will be a member of the incoming government’s cabinet.
But her name was on a list of 18 submitted to parliament by Htin Kyaw, according to BBC.
A military junta ruled Myanmar for more than 50 years prior to General Khin Nymt’s announcement in 2003 that the country would take measures to transition to a democracy.
The electric power and energy portfolio will be an early test of her mettle: in 2011 President Thein Sein, bowing to public outrage, suspended work on the huge, Chinese-financed Myitsone dam in the north of the country, which was meant to export most of the power it generated to China.
Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency under the current constitution because her two sons are British citizens. Her domination of government underlines the difficulty she has experienced in delegating power within her party. “She will have to do a lot of worldwide relations and overseas trips, and she won’t have the time to exercise control over the government”.
But his novice administration faces a raft of challenges – including conflict in ethnic minority border areas, entrenched poverty and the need to rapidly improve the country’s decrepit infrastructure and long-neglected education and health services.
Moreover, Htin Kyaw will formally take office on April 1.
Commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing re-nominated two out of three current military ministers, but will replace Lieutenant General Ko Ko at the home affairs ministry.
Four Months later, the parliament has now elected a close ally of Suu Kyi, Mr. Htin Kyaw, as new President.
In keeping with the party’s pledge for a cabinet of national reconciliation, the ministerial line up includes a host of names from outside the NLD, including one from the main army-backed party.
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The list also included former senior government officials, as well as a member of the army-linked Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), reflecting Suu Kyi’s stated desire to form an inclusive government.
