CNI News
17 October 2025
Political parties in Myanmar say that no strong opposition parties have yet emerged ahead of the upcoming election.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the National Security and Peace Commission, has stated that power will be peacefully transferred to the political party that wins the election.
At present, party leaders say they have not seen any strong opposition parties, although the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) remains the strongest among them, according to U Li Paw Reh, Chairman of the Lisu National Development Party, who spoke to CNI News.
“Right now, there’s no strong opposition party that we can see. But at this point, the USDP is the strongest party. That’s how we view it. However, whether or not other ethnic or religious groups are part of this government isn’t really an issue. What matters most is the parliament. For the government to be effectively checked and balanced, parliament must be strong. If ethnic and other parties can participate equally in parliament, then the government won’t be able to act solely on its own will. The government that emerges will therefore be fairer,” he said.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing seen at the NCA 10th Anniversary ceremony
During the administration of U Thein Sein, strong opposition parties included the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Arakan National Party (ANP).
Under Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), Arakan National Party (ANP), and USDP were among the prominent opposition parties.
However, this time, political parties, rather than acting as opposition forces, intend to work together for national development after the election,
Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party, told CNI News:
Political parties attending the 10th Anniversary of the NCA
“During the time of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Thein Sein, powerful parties were called the opposition. But in the coming election, instead of forming an opposition, I think parties will work together for the country’s progress. I’ve reviewed the parties that will compete in this election, and when they discuss peace issues, they all share similar views. Their main focus is on how to build a better nation. So I think cooperation will be more important than confrontation. If the government’s performance is unsatisfactory, or if its actions don’t align with the people’s wishes, then parliamentarians will speak up. There will surely be differences of opinion in parliament, but through constructive dialogue, I hope we can build the nation together,” he said.
The first phase of Myanmar’s 2025 general election will be held in 102 townships on December 28, 2025, followed by the second phase in 100 townships in January 2026.
