Myanmar paves way for junta chief to be civilian president, ruling with ‘iron fist’

Myanmar has cleared the way for Min Aung Hlaing, the general who led the nation’s 2021 coup, to continue ruling as civilian president. On March 30, 2026, lawmakers nominated him as a vice-presidential candidate and the junta appointed a new military commander. Min Aung Hlaing was military chief when he ordered the coup that toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering a civil war.