Parliamentary Elections in Myanmar: A Challenge for EU Policy
Parliamentary Elections in Myanmar: A Challenge for EU Policy

Author(s): Patryk Kugiel
Subject(s): Politics, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Electoral systems, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: EU; policy; Myanmar; parliamentary election;
Summary/Abstract: The parliamentary elections in Myanmar on 8 November are likely to be won by the currently ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi. However, the party will probably receive fewer votes than it did in 2015. A weaker electoral mandate and further isolation from Western countries will strengthen the military’s role, weaken democratisation, and will be conducive to increasing China’s influence. To prevent this, the EU may consider resuming cooperation with the civilian authorities despite accusations that it is persecuting the Rohingya minority. Greater engagement by the EU in Myanmar and closer cooperation with partners in Asia may give the Union more influence over the situation in that country than continued isolation of Aung San Suu Kyi.

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