Myanmar parliament resumes as elections approach; beleaguered speaker risks losing seat

Published December 12, 2015

Myanmar Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann, center, arrives to attend a regular session at Parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar Tuesday, Aug 18, 2015. Parliament has reopened for its final session before Myanmar's nationwide election, with a spotlight on the influential speaker following his violent ouster as head of the military-backed ruling party. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) (The Associated Press)

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Myanmar Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann arrives to attend a regular session at Parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. Parliament has reopened for its final session before Myanmar's nationwide election, with a spotlight on the influential speaker following his violent ouster as head of the military-backed ruling party.(AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) (The Associated Press)

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi signs on registration book upon arrival to attend a regular session at Parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. Parliament has reopened for its final session before Myanmar's nationwide election, with a spotlight on the influential speaker following his violent ouster as head of the military-backed ruling party. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) (The Associated Press)

Myanmar's Parliament has reopened for its final session before a nationwide election, with the spotlight on the influential speaker following his violent ouster as head of the military-backed ruling party.

Shwe Mann said nothing to reporters as he entered the chambers.

But sources said he was being pressured to put forward a bill that could lead to his own impeachment — it says lawmakers who have lost the trust of their constituents can be stripped of their seats.

Myanmar only recently started moving from dictatorship to democracy, but critics say the quasi-civilian government is still largely controlled by members of the old military elite.

As landmark elections near, tensions have increased between President Thein Sein and Shwe Mann, a reformist with close ties to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/myanmar-parliament-resumes-as-elections-approach-beleaguered-speaker-risks-losing-seat