Aung San Suu Kyi, of the National League for Democracy party, won a seat in Myanmar’s (previously Burma) parliamentary election last weekend. Her victory opens the possibility that the National League for Democracy party, which won 40 of the 45 contested seats, could take control of Myanmar’s government in the next election in 2015. Nevertheless, the military, which holds a majority of the 664 parliamentary seats, continues to exert great influence over Myanmar’s government.
Suu Kyi stated following the election, “We hope this will be the beginning of a new era…[the win] was not so much our triumph, as a triumph of the people.” The White House issued a statement today, which said “This election is an important step in Burma’s democratic transformation, and we hope it is an indication that the government of Burma intends to continue along the path of greater openness, transparency, and reform.”
The National League for Democracy party has not won an election since 1990, although the results were then annulled by the army-junta that was in power at the time.
