World

Suu Kyi to get new PM-like role

08:12 am on 31 March 2016

Myanmar's new government is to create a role similar to prime minister for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a draft bill suggests.

Aung San Suu Kyi Photo: AFP

Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won landslide elections last year but she is barred from the presidency.

The new post would be as "Advisor to the State". She already holds several government positions and has said she will rule Myanmar by proxy.

On Wednesday, her choice for the presidency, Htin Kyaw, was sworn in.

He was Myanmar's first elected civilian leader in more than 50 years. Taking the oath of office, the 69-year-old said he would be "faithful" to his country's people.

Ms Suu Kyi could not be president because the constitution barred candidates with foreign spouses or children. Her two sons hold British passports.

However, she has said she would be "above the president".

Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD supporters ride a motorcade of trishaws during a campaign in Tharketa township in Yangon before the election. Photo: AFP

Ms Suu Kyi would be officially in charge of foreign affairs, the president's office, education, and energy and electric power in the new government.

The draft bill creating the additional position was expected to be submitted to parliament in the next few weeks.

The NLD won 80 percent of contested seats in the elections last year, ending decades of military rule.

But the army kept considerable power. It retained a quarter of the seats in parliament, and would head three key ministries - defence, home affairs and border affairs.

-BBC