Junta-Backed Parliament Convenes for First Time Since 2021 Coup

Myanmar's Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union) convened in Naypyidaw for the first time since the February 2021 coup, following elections held in three phases from December 28, 2025 to January 25, 2026. The 440-seat lower house (Pyithu Hluttaw) seated 337 lawmakers, electing former general and police chief Khin Yi of the USDP as speaker. A quarter of all seats are constitutionally reserved for the military; the USDP won 339 contested seats. NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La denounced the proceedings as a 'theatrical performance.' ASEAN stated it would not recognize the election results. The two-week process of senior generals swapping uniforms for civilian attire began, with a new government expected to be formed in early April.