Suu Kyi poised for public office in Burma
Burma’s leaders spent two decades tenaciously trying to silence pro-democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi. But they are now on the verge of an extraordinary turnaround – allowing her into parliament.
The government’s most prominent critic is likely to be voted into office for the first time in tomorrow’s by-elections.
Her participation in the polling has been made possible by a fragile detente with a government that has embarked on surprising democratic reforms over the last few months.
The by-election, held to fill just a few dozen vacant legislative seats, will not change the balance of power in a country still heavily controlled by a deeply feared military.
But Suu Kyi’s campaign has galvanised Burma’s downtrodden masses and resurrected hope.
