Myanmar parliament dominated by pro-military party convenes after 5 years

                                                                            Myanmar's parliament has reconvened for the first time since the 2021 military coup, following recent elections where the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) secured a commanding majority, while key opposition parties were barred. Former general Khin Yi, a close ally of military ruler Min Aung Hlaing, was elected lower house speaker, amid plans for a new "superbody" to solidify Min Aung Hlaing's influence. These elections, held with a quarter of seats reserved for the military, faced widespread condemnation from critics and human rights organizations as a "sham," with ASEAN also refusing to recognize the outcomes. The country remains embroiled in civil war and a humanitarian crisis stemming from the 2021 takeover, which has left the former democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned and significant regions outside military control.