Myanmar’s President Thein Sein says he’s in favor of changing the country’s Constitution to allow “any citizen” to become president.  That’s being interpreted as his approval of finally allowing former political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi to seek Myanmar’s highest office.

Myanmar is making strides in undoing the repressive nature of its former military junta, which drafted its current constitution.  That document bars candidates for Myanmar’s presidency and vice presidency if they have close family members who “owe allegiance to a foreign power”.  Suu Kyi’s two sons with her British husband were born in Britain and live outside Myanmar.

Thein Sein would need the support of more than 75 percent of the members of Parliament to change the constitution, at a time when his influence is seen as somewhat limited. 

The elections are scheduled for late next year.  Suu Kyi’s allies are considering boycotting the polls if the law that effectively prevents her from running for the presidency is not changed.