Members of one of Myanmar’s most respected pro-democracy activist groups have announced that they are continuing to make progress in their effort to form a new political party, which is expected to serve as an alternative to the NLD.
The 88 Generation Peace and Open Society announced this week that it will hold a ceremony on July 15 and 16, where an organizing committee will be formed, and future party members will negotiate policies and principles to be adopted by the new party.
The group announced in March that it had plans to form a political party. The group’s leaders invited veterans of Myanmar’s several pro-democracy movements to weigh in on how the party should present itself, including choosing a name and setting policies.
The members of 88 Generation made names for themselves by leading anti-dictatorship movements in 1988 and 2007, for which many of them were imprisoned.
Around 20 members sought to run on the NLD ticket in the 2015 election, but they were all rejected. Now, the group hopes to give Myanmar voters a democratic alternative to the NLD.
88 Generation leader Ko Ko Gyi told Eleven this week: “We are trying to introduce a new political culture. We are seeking advice from political experts and activists, as well as veteran protesters. We will gather their advice as we set policies. We must widely represent the interest of the people.”
One of the new party’s main policy initiatives is expected to be reforming the 2008 constitution, which enshrines the military as the most powerful institution in the country, rather than the civilian government.
Some NLD supporters have voiced concerns that a new pro-democracy party in Myanmar will split the vote with the NLD, allowing the military-backed USDP to win more elections.
However, others argue that the formation of more parties who attract voters with their ideas, rather than with popular figureheads, represents the maturation of Myanmar’s democracy.
