Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was elected a vice-president by the lower house on Tuesday, moving him closer to becoming the country’s civilian leader, parliament officials said.
Min Aung Hlaing has led Myanmar since 2021, when he overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering civil conflict.
His election begins a process in which the parliament selects three vice-presidents, one of whom will later be chosen as president.
On Tuesday morning, lower house MPs cast their ballots into clear boxes. “The lower house of elected MPs announces Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as a vice-president,” lower house speaker Khin Yi said after the vote.
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A parliament official reported that Min Aung Hlaing received 247 of 260 votes.
The upper house elected Nan Ni Ni Aye, a regional MP from Karen state representing the military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party, as another vice-president.
The military will appoint the third vice-president. A parliament-wide vote to select the president is expected this week.
Democracy observers have warned that the new government is likely to act as a proxy for the military, which has ruled Myanmar for most of its post-independence history.
Analysts note that after a decade of democratic reforms, Min Aung Hlaing returned to power following heavily restricted elections in January, securing a near-total victory for pro-military parties.