History of The Office
The position of Prime Minister was created in 1948, when Burma gained independence from the United Kingdom. Since then, eleven people have held the office (with two of them doing so on multiple occasions). Due to the country's long period of military rule, it has not been uncommon for the Prime Minister to be a serving (or recently retired) military officer.
The actual power of the Prime Minister has considerably varied over time, differing based on who holds the office. In 2004, a power struggle between the then head of state, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, and his Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt resulted in the Prime Minister being dismissed and arrested.
The position was abolished on 30 March 2011, according to the current Constitution (adopted in 2008). It provided that the President is both the head of state and head of government.
Read more about this topic: Prime Minister Of Burma
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