Can Suu Kyi be fast-tracked to the presidency?

11 December 2015
Can Suu Kyi be fast-tracked to the presidency?
Speculation surrounds whether there might be a way for Suu Kyi to be fast-tracked into the post of president in Myanmar once her party takes power. Suu Kyi, right, is seen here with NLD members. Photo: Hong Sar/Mizzima

A question has been raised as to whether there could be a method to fast-track Aung San Suu Kyi into the presidency.
While her National League for Democracy party won a landslide in the November polls, she is currently barred by a clause in the 2008 Constitution that prevents her from being elected president because she has two sons who are British citizens.
The proposal was made by U Aung Ko, a retired senior military officer who lost his lower house seat for Chin State’s Kanpetlet township in the polls. 
He told Myanmar Times that Suu Kyi can lead the country if Section 59(f) of the 2008 Constitution is “suspended”.
He said such a move was possible if it won the approval of more than 50 percent of lawmakers, according to the report.
“It is not necessary to change section 59(f) at the present to choose the NLD chair for the presidency, given the desire of the people and international community,” he said Wednesday.
However, it is unclear whether U Aung Ko is correct as the current Constitution is said to bar such a move.
The question of whether the military is looking with more favour on Suu Kyi was heightened after retired Senior General Than Shwe met with the NLD chairperson and signalled his support for her.
Whether this public move signals an openness to change the troubling Section 59 (f) of the Constitution is unclear at this stage. See Kyi's party is due to take up the reins of power in February or March in what is a laboured handover process.