Ethnic groups, which rejected the 2010 election, and some MPs, who coasted to victory in the 1990 election, formed the new People’s Parliament (Union of Burma) yesterday.

Two days before the election, the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) held a meeting with the candidates, who won the 1990 elections. After the meeting, representatives formed the new parliament.

“It is based on the common idea of forming a genuine federal union. We will work together to build a federal union. We will implement what we have agreed at the meeting between ethnic groups and Burmans,” U Reh Mung Htoo, chairperson of the new People’s Parliament, said.

The new parliament will oppose the 2008 constitution and the election tomorrow by using military and political might.

“We will cooperate with all opposition groups including ceasefire groups, some political parties, ethnic people, who live abroad, and ethnic armed groups. We will cooperate with them on both military and political issues,” he said.

U Naing Oo, vice-chairman of the new parliament, said we will work together with all organizations inside and outside the country to promote genuine democracy in Burma.

“The junta has been trying to hold on to the country’s power for good. We don’t like it. We want to promote democracy in Burma. Many organizations, based inside and outside the nation as well as at the border, want this. Therefore we formed the new People’s Parliament to promote democracy and have a genuine federal union,” he added.

This is the first time a parliament has been established by ethnic groups and MPs who won the 1990 election.

It’s learnt that many organizations inside and outside the country support the setting up of the People’s Parliament before the 2010 election.