Vietnam has a new president
Vietnam’s National Assembly on Thursday elected a new president of the country, Vo Van Thuong, to succeed Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who resigned due to suspicions of corruption. The only candidate, Vo Van Thuong, 53 years old, obtained 487 of the 488 votes of the deputies, according to the state media. “It is a huge honor and a great responsibility,” he said. Vo Van Thuong declared himself “determined to fight corruption”. After taking the oath, the new head of state, whose mandate is valid until 2026, received a bouquet of flowers, to the applause of the deputies. Vietnam, ruled with an iron hand by the Communist Party (PCV), is going through a period of turmoil behind the scenes, marked by the departure of several senior officials suspected of involvement in corruption scandals related to the management of the pandemic. The anti-corruption offensive culminated in January with the resignation of former president Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who was prime minister during the worst period of the health crisis. Thuong is considered close to PCV General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the regime’s most powerful man.
Addressing the swearing-in ceremony, Thuong swore allegiance to the fatherland, to the people, and to the constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. “(I will) strive to fulfill to the best of my abilities the responsibilities and missions entrusted by the party, state, and people,” the media outlet quoted the newly-elected president as saying. Thuong previously served in different positions, including party secretary of the HCMC district, standing secretary of the Central Committee, and party secretary of the central province of Quang Ngai. Later, he joined the Politburo in January 2016, becoming its youngest member, and was then assigned the position of head of the Central Propaganda Department of the Communist Party, according to VN Express, a Vietnamese online newspaper. At the 13th Congress two years ago, Phuc vied to become the general secretary but did not have sufficient support. Thuong has a better chance, according to Thayer. “If Vo Van Thuong successfully carries out the duties of state president, he would be an odds-on favorite to replace Nguyen Phu Trong as party general secretary. His long and unblemished career in the party’s ranks as well as his relatively youthful age all weigh in his favor.” Vietnam’s presidency is largely a ceremonial role, while the general secretary carries far more weight. Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan has been serving as Vietnam’s caretaker president since Phuc stepped down.
By Paul Bumman
