Myanmar’s military government lifted its four-year state of emergency on Thursday, just days before a scheduled election that opposition groups have vowed to boycott. The move does not signal a shift towards democracy, with the head of the junta, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, appointing himself as acting president of a new “Union government.”
Human rights lawyer U Kyee Myint described the step as a mere rearrangement of power, stating that Gen. Min Aung Hlaing still wields all authority despite the change. The military had imposed the state of emergency in 2021 after a coup against the civilian government led by Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The military claims the election is necessary to gain international recognition and legitimacy, but few believe this assertion. The National League for Democracy, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, has consistently said it will boycott the elections due to the illegitimacy of the Union Election Commission and the nature of the vote.
The planned election could potentially normalize ties with the military government, which is currently isolated on the international stage.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/world/asia/myanmar-emergency-election.html