CNI News
17 July 2025
There are speculations among military and political analysts about who will be the leader in the post-election changes in the government and military.
Since the SAC has promised to hold elections in Myanmar in December 2025 and January 2026, it is assumed that elections will be held.
Local and international observers are closely watching and analyzing who will be the next head of the government and military after the election.
Myanmar political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News that if the elections were held, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services could change the name of the position and take on the position of head of the government.
While seeing Acting President, Commander in Chief of Defense Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
“The election will definitely be held. It is the exit of the SAC, and it is the exit of the people as well. That is why the elections must be held. After the elections, a civilian government will come to power. Since a civilian government will come to power, the military will also have to be restructured. Then, the current leaders will have to be replaced by a younger group of people in the military. I can't say in detail how they will be replaced. Who will be head of head of the government that will come to power, to tell you the truth, will be the C in C. He might change the name of his position." said Dr. Aung Myo.
Currently, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing holds the positions of SAC Chairman, Caretaker Government Prime Minister, Acting President, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services.
Military and political observers have pointed out that if elections are held, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing could transition to the presidency in the new government, while the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces could be handed over to someone he trusts.
While seeing those protesting against the SAC and the Myanmar Tatmadaw (Photo-Frontier Myanmar)
The diplomatic circles local and abroad believe that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing could create a position above the army chief by forming a group called the Central Military Commission to continue leading the military in addition to the presidency.
They point out that just as the National League for Democracy (NLD) government enacted the State Counsellor Law to create a position above President U Win Myint, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing could also create it.
The SAC chairman would surely hold elections because he wanted the presidency. Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs analyst, told CNI News.
"(Senior General) Min Aung Hlaing will surely hold elections because he wants to be president so much. But who will recognize the election? Malaysia and ASEAN have said directly that they don't recognize the election. He seems to think he can hold on to the presidency until he is about 80, like General Ne Win and General Than Shwe. We won't recognize elections at all. The public won't recognize them either." said Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw.
The upcoming election will be held under two systems: the first past the post (FPTP) which were previously used and the proportional representation (PR) system, , and the election will be held in 267 townships, according to the Union Election Commission (UEC).
