Myanmar Coup Leader’s Henchman Takes Control Of USDP

Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has consolidated his control of the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), with the installation of his henchman, former Police Chief U Khin Yi, as the party chair. The appointment of the new USDP leader came ahead of the election the regime plans to hold next year and which the National League for Democracy (NLD) said it would boycott. In the NLD’s absence, the USDP is likely to win. When parliament resumes after the polls to choose the country’s president, Min Aung Hlaing will surely be nominated as a vice president by military representatives, reports The Irrawaddy. If the winning USDP votes in parliament to elect Min Aung Hlaing as president, his dream will be fulfilled. Under U Khin Yi’s guidance, the USDP will have to do so. As the head of the winning party, he would become vice president-1, as his boss would take the top job. Then, Min Aung Hlaing would be able to rule the country for 10 years, as the constitution permits two terms.