As Vietnam prepares to elect a new president in October, the third in less than two years, the country’s parliament on Monday ( Aug 26 ) approved yet another significant reshuffle of senior positions in the country’s Communist-run country.
Vietnam, which was formerly known for its social stability, has undergone numerous changes at the top in the last two decades or so, culminating in the nomination of state senator To Lam as party chief, the country’s most effective position.
In a typical session on October, according to the National Assembly’s general secretary Bui Van Cuong, the state will elect a new position president, ending months of rumors about when and if Lam will step down.
Cuong’s notes came on Monday at the conclusion of a special session of politicians in Hanoi to explain personnel issues.
At the conference, congress appointed three fresh deputy prime ministers, a new culture minister and a fresh justice secretary, in a new shake-up following the return of two deputy prime ministers, one of whom had been disciplined by the group.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Finance Minister Ho Duc Phoc, and Chief Justice Nguyen Hoa Binh were the new deputy prime ministers approved by the parliament, which typically confirms party decisions.
In Phoc, the finance minister and the foreign minister will keep those portfolios on an interim basis, with a permanent one in Son’s case.
Le Minh Khai, who had been disciplined by the Politburo elite body this month for breaking party rules, and Tran Luu Quang, who was appointed head of the Communist Party’s Central Economic Committee last week, were the two deputies whose terms were officially ended.
In response to a broad anti-corruption campaign that critics claimed was used by party factions to eliminate rivals, two state presidents and a parliament chairman resigned over “wrongdoing” allegations, and hundreds of senior officials, including Politburo members, resigned over the past two years.
There are now five deputy prime ministers working under Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh following the most recent appointments.
Additionally, Do Duc Duy and Nguyen Hai Ninh were appointed environment ministers by Parliament. Both were leaders of provincial parties.