Resignation of Myanmar’s Lower House speaker U Win Myint immediately after President U Htin Kyaw’s sudden resignation Wednesday fuelled speculation that Myint is tipped as the next President of the country.
New President will be appointed within seven days in accordance with the section 73 (b) of the Constitution of Myanmar.
U Win Myint’s resignation was announced during a meeting of Parliament on Wednesday though he was on official leave.
67-year-old Myint will be the tenth President of Myanmar since its independence in 1948.
Myint is believed to be close to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s and one of the favorites among other senior NLD members. He became the Lower House speaker in February 2016 after the NLD won the general election in 2015.
During his tenure as Myanmar’s Lower House speaker, the former lawyer was known for his strict discipline. He did not tolerate discussions that were off topic during parliamentary meetings. Even Union ministers were not free from his stern warnings, not to mention lawmakers, including those from the military.