Some lawmakers who have been disgruntled with NLD are adding to Myanmar’s political landscape a new way that could give the dominant party something to think about the upcoming elections scheduled to take place on Nov. 8.20.
The NLD maintains a lead over military-affiliated and small ethnic parties but now also has to worry about its left flank as some pro-democracy politicians splinter away.
Suu Kyi, democratic party won 80% of the seats in the 2015 general election with a promise of breaking away from military rule. But Suu Kyi’s clout has been partially diminished.
People’s Pioneer Party, PPP, will participate in the general election. As one of the PPP’s three founders ensued in an interview with Elven Media.
The PPP has been criticizing the NLD’s handling of the government since it took power in 2015, including the slow pace of economic reforms and deteriorating press freedoms.
Ex-general and former Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann, who had been close to Suu Kyi, has also set off on his own, having formed the Union Betterment Party.
The new parties are small but could grab votes from the NLD in single-seat districts.
To maintain a majority in both houses, the NLD will have to win more than two-thirds of the contested seats. Like 70% of Myanmar’s population.
Suu Kyi’s acclaim, however, has been ebbing due to her inability to curb the military’s political influence. Minority and many other groups who had been oppressed by the military are now disappointed with Suu Kyi.
