Union Solidarity and Development Party

Union Solidarity and Development Party
Name	Union Solidarity and Development Party
Foundation	2010
Founder	Thein Sein
Headquarters	Naypyidaw

Union Solidarity and Development Party. The Union Solidarity and Development Party is a major political organization in Myanmar, established as a formal political party in 2010 from the earlier Union Solidarity and Development Association. It served as the ruling party following the 2010 Myanmar general election and held significant power during the nation's period of political transition until the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. The party is closely associated with the country's former military leadership and has been a dominant force in the Assembly of the Union, particularly in the House of Nationalities.

History

The party's origins lie in the Union Solidarity and Development Association, a mass organization created by the State Peace and Development Council military junta and led by senior figures like Than Shwe. It was formally reconstituted as a political party in 2010 under the chairmanship of then-Prime Minister Thein Sein, a former general, to contest the 2010 Myanmar general election, the first polls since 1990. Following its electoral victory, Thein Sein became President of Myanmar and the party oversaw a period of political and economic reforms, including the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and a relaxation of media censorship. The party suffered a major defeat in the 2015 Myanmar general election to the National League for Democracy but returned to a central role in government after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, during which many of its members, including Myint Swe, were involved in the State Administration Council military regime.

Ideology and platform

The party's platform has historically emphasized stability, national unity, and a gradualist approach to political and economic reform, often described as "Discipline-flourishing democracy." Its ideology is rooted in Burmese nationalism and a commitment to a centralized, unitary state, opposing federalist models advocated by some ethnic groups in Myanmar. Key policy positions have included support for a market economy with state guidance, the protection of Buddhist cultural values, and a strong national defense posture. The party's constitution supports the military's continued political role as outlined in the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar, which reserves key ministries and parliamentary seats for the Tatmadaw.

Organizational structure

The party is organized with a central executive committee and a chairman, with its headquarters located in the capital Naypyidaw. Its structure mirrors the administrative divisions of Myanmar, with branches at the region, state, district, and township levels. The party maintains close organizational and personnel links with the Tatmadaw, and many of its senior leaders are former military officers. It also controls or influences various affiliated social and youth organizations, which were originally developed from the network of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

Electoral performance

The party won a commanding majority in the 2010 Myanmar general election, securing over 75% of the elected seats in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, though the election was widely criticized by observers like the United Nations and boycotted by the National League for Democracy. It suffered a decisive loss in the 2015 Myanmar general election, winning only a small fraction of seats compared to the National League for Democracy. Its performance improved slightly in the 2020 Myanmar general election, though it again lost decisively to the NLD; the party subsequently joined the Tatmadaw in alleging electoral fraud, claims dismissed by the Union Election Commission but which preceded the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.

Leadership

The party's founding chairman was Thein Sein, the former general who served as President of Myanmar from 2011 to 2016. Other prominent leaders have included Shwe Mann, a former Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw, and Htay Oo, who served as party chairman for many years. Senior figures such as Myint Swe, the current Vice-President of Myanmar and acting president following the 2021 coup, have been key members. The leadership has consistently been drawn from the ranks of former military officers and bureaucrats from the State Peace and Development Council era.

Controversies and criticism

The party has been consistently criticized for being a vehicle for continued military influence in politics, with groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemning its role in human rights abuses. Its victory in the 2010 Myanmar general election was marred by allegations of widespread fraud and advance voting irregularities from organizations including the European Union. The party has also been accused of instigating or supporting violence against Rohingya communities in Rakhine State, leading to investigations by the International Court of Justice. Its actions following the 2020 Myanmar general election, in promoting claims of voter fraud that precipitated the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, have drawn international sanctions from entities like the United States Treasury.

Category:Political parties in Myanmar Category:2010 establishments in Myanmar