Myanmar: Government

Myanmar is governed under the constitution of 2008. The president, who is both head of state and of government, is elected by the national legislature. The bicameral national legislature, the Assembly of the Union, consists of the House of Nationalities with 224 members, 168 of which are popularly elected and 56 of which are appointed by the military, and the House of Representatives with 440 members, 330 of which are popularly elected and 110 of which are appointed by the military. Members of both houses serve five-year terms. In addition to the seats it controls in the parliament, the military retains control over its own affairs, and the commander in chief can remove the president. Administratively, the country is divided into seven regions, seven states, and a union territory (Naypyidaw).

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Independence and Civil Strife
• Early History through World War II
• Government
• Economy
• Land and People
• Bibliography

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