Myanmar's Proactive National Legislature

Although initially dubbed the 15 minute parliament, Myanmar's first multiparty national legislature in 50 years has come to play an influential role in shaping the country's reform process and the evolving relationship between citizens and their government. While the executive branch continues to dominate policymaking in the peaceful parts of the country, and the military leadership has the final word in the conflict zones, members of parliament have used a variety of means to expand their mandate and weigh in on key issues. While the majority of parliamentarians have sought to distance themselves from many of the policies of the former regime, state-centric biases continue to inform legislator decision-making, at least until challenged by citizens and civil society organizations. Besides the USDP, the National Unity Party, the older regime-backed party established before the 1990 election, fielded candidates in most constituencies. Adapted from the source document.