Five years after Myanmar's military coup, the junta has consolidated power through a controlled political transition. An election held in early 2026 gave the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) approximately 81% of seats, though South China Morning Post reported the party won about 44% of votes before electoral distortions, with major opposition parties barred from participating. The number of registered voters fell from 38.27 million to 24.26 million due to post-coup conflict.

On March 2, the military government granted amnesty to prisoners ahead of the parliament's opening. TRT World reported 10,162 prisoners were released to mark Peasants' Day, while South China Morning Post said over 7,300 prisoners convicted of terrorism-related charges were freed. Former leader Aung San Suu Kyi was not included in the amnesty.

Myanmar's military-backed parliament convened on March 16 for the first time since the 2021 coup, according to Al Jazeera. The military retains 25% of legislative seats automatically under the constitution.

On March 27, Daily Sabah reported the junta signaled a leadership transition ahead of Armed Forces Day, with Min Aung Hlaing expected to become president.

The transition accelerated on March 30, when parliament nominated Min Aung Hlaing as a vice-presidential candidate. Xinhua reported Ye Win Oo was appointed as the new defense chief, replacing Min Aung Hlaing who had served since 2011. The lower house nominated Min Aung Hlaing and Kyaw Swe as vice-presidential candidates, while the upper house nominated Nan Ni Ni Aye and Manam Tu Ja.

On March 31, France 24 reported Min Aung Hlaing was elected vice-president by the lower house with 247 of 260 votes. Xinhua reported U Nyo Saw was elected vice president by military representatives, while Nan Ni Ni Aye won the upper house vote.

Xinhua reported on April 2 that parliament would elect the president on April 3.

On April 3, Myanmar's parliament elected Min Aung Hlaing as president with 429 of 584 votes, according to Xinhua. U Nyo Saw received 126 votes and Nan Ni Ni Aye secured 29 votes. China's Foreign Ministry congratulated Min Aung Hlaing on his election. The following day, TRT World reported the Arakan Rohingya National Council condemned the appointment.

On April 9, The Independent reported parliament approved a cabinet of 30 ministers, mostly former generals and military officers, with 18 serving in the previous military government.

Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president on April 10, with U Nyo Saw and Nan Ni Ni Aye appointed as vice presidents, Xinhua reported.

On April 25-26, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Nay Pyi Taw, meeting with President Min Aung Hlaing and Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe. Xinhua reported Min Aung Hlaing emphasized Myanmar's commitment to the one-China policy and support for China's global initiatives, while China expressed support for Myanmar's development path and agreed to deepen security cooperation and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Xinhua reported Wang also discussed deepening practical cooperation and advancing bilateral relations. South China Morning Post reported China pledged to help Myanmar's new government engage more with multilateral platforms and eliminate online gambling and telecom fraud.

By late April, Myanmar's military (Tatmadaw), strengthened by tens of thousands of new conscripts, had reversed losses and was poised to resume offensives against resistance groups, according to The Independent. Opposition groups faced infighting, supply issues, and war weariness, while China pressed for stability. Deutsche Welle reported on May 1 that the military's territorial gains over the previous 18 months, aided by drones and conscripts, had shifted momentum in the civil war.

On April 30, the military-backed government commuted Aung San Suu Kyi's prison sentence from 33 years to 18 years as part of an amnesty for the Buddhist holiday of Buddha's Birthday, The Independent reported. The United Nations welcomed the move as a meaningful step toward a credible political process, Al Jazeera reported. The amnesty also covered 1,519 other prisoners, according to NPR. State media announced that Suu Kyi had been transferred from prison to house arrest on the orders of President Min Aung Hlaing. Daily Sabah confirmed May 1 that she was being held in Naypyidaw, with her legal team scheduled to visit on Sunday to discuss detention conditions. Authorities described the move as a change in procedure, not a restoration of freedom. Her son Kim Aris called the move a calculated gesture and expressed concern about her wellbeing, requesting a proof of life. On May 3, NPR reported that Kim Aris pleaded to be allowed to see his elderly mother, saying he and others remained skeptical and unable to confirm her condition or location. Deutsche Welle reported on May 6 that the transfer came ahead of an ASEAN Summit and amid international pressure.

On June 4, The Independent reported that Kim Aris expressed disappointment over India hosting President Min Aung Hlaing with state honors, calling on India to stand on the side of human rights. India stated that Suu Kyi's detention was raised during Hlaing's talks with Prime Minister Modi.

On June 5, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Myanmar Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe in Beijing. Wang expressed China's readiness to enhance high-level exchanges and strategic cooperation with Myanmar's new government to build a shared future and support Myanmar's development, according to Xinhua. Xinhua also reported that China pledged to combat cross-border crime, while Myanmar affirmed its one-China principle and expressed interest in deeper economic and multilateral cooperation. Separately, Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met Tin Maung Swe in Beijing. China reiterated support for Myanmar's development path and willingness to deepen strategic cooperation, while Myanmar reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle and the "pauk-phaw" friendship, with both sides agreeing to enhance legislative exchanges, Xinhua reported.