Thein Sein chosen as regime’s new President

Burma’s new Parliament (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) meeting in Napyidaw today elected the ruling junta's Prime Minister Thein Sein to serve as national President.

Thein Sein, a 65 year old retired general, is also head of the military backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). With 408 votes, Thein Sein was chosen with a wide margin over two other candidates put forward by the USDP, the SPDC’ First Secretary Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Dr. Sai Mauk Kham.

Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, who received 171 votes will instead serve as vice president number one, while vice president number two will go to Dr. Sai Mauk Kham, a Shan physician sitting in the upper house who received 75 votes.

Thein Sein who succeeded General Soe Win as the State Peace and Development Council's Prime Minister shortly after the Saffron revolution in 2007, is now Burma’s eighth president. He is regarded by many observers as heavily influenced by Senior General Than Shwe.

This is the first time in 22 years that a national parliament has convened in Burma. The new parliament has met with widespread skepticism and disinterest from many in Burma because an overwhelming majority of MPs have a military background and are from the junta supported USDP.