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                          Myanmar to Get New President

   by Smita Nordwall

   Myanmar is set to get a new president Tuesday.

   The country's parliament will hold a historic vote to pick the new
   leader from a group of three candidates.

   The vote comes as the formerly army-ruled nation transitions towards
   its first civilian government in decades.

   Among the candidates is Htin Kyaw, a childhood friend and longtime
   confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

   Under Myanmar's complex constitution, the president is chosen from
   three candidates - one put forward by each of the two legislative
   chambers and a third proposed by the military, that is reserved a
   quarter of the seats in parliament.

   Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won overwhelming
   majorities in both houses of parliament in the November 8 general
   election.  Its lawmakers are expected to confirm the party nominee Htin
   Kyaw as the country's next leader.

   Myanmar's constitution bars the veteran activist Suu Kyi from becoming
   president because of a clause that excludes anyone with a foreign
   spouse or children. Suu Kyi's two sons are British, as was her late
   husband. The clause is widely seen as having been written by the
   military with Suu Kyi in mind.

   Aung San Suu Kyi has said she will be "above'' the president and rule
   from behind the scenes, meaning that the new leader would effectively
   be her proxy.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/myanmar-to-get-new-president/3236463.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/myanmar-to-get-new-president/3236463.html