Myanmar delays vote on bill that could end career of popular, reform-minded politician
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Lawmakers have voted to delay discussion of a bill that could have resulted in the impeachment of parliament's embattled speaker, temporarily easing a political crisis gripping Myanmar ahead of national elections.
Several Western countries consider Shwe Mann one of the most desirable candidates for the presidency, but the reform-minded former army general was ousted as head of the military-backed ruling party last week. Moves to strip him of his parliamentary seat before the Nov. 8 vote would have effectively sealed his political demise.
Shwe Mann was being pressured to present a bill that could see him lose his seat as lawmaker.
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In all, 264 lawmakers voted to delay discussion of the bill until after the elections, while 235 were in favor of discussing it now and 10 abstained.