Uncertainty in Hanoi: Vietnam’s National Assembly to Choose a New President

A Period of Unprecedented Leadership Changeovers

Hanoi: Vietnam’s national assembly will start the process of choosing a president on Monday, a senior official said, after a series of leadership changeovers threw the communist state into an unusual period of political upheaval. This comes as no surprise, given the country’s recent history of rapid change. For decades, changes in Vietnam were carefully orchestrated with an emphasis on stability. However, a major anti-graft purge since 2021 has swept up several high-level figures, including two presidents and three deputy prime ministers.

A Chapter of Uncertainty in Vietnam’s Leadership Structure

The country’s four-pillar leadership structure includes the general secretary, president, prime minister, and head of the National Assembly. The current President To Lam was named general secretary of the Communist Party in August, following the death of his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong. Trong held both positions at the same time between October 2018 and April 2021.

Leadership Shuffle: The Antecedents

The anti-graft purge, which began in 2021, has led to a major overhaul of the country’s leadership. This includes the removal of two presidents and three deputy prime ministers. The unprecedented changeovers have left many wondering who will hold the reins of the country next.

The Process of Choosing a New President

According to Nguyen Thanh Hai, the head of the committee for deputy affairs, the party central committee has agreed to recommend personnel with appropriate conditions and will submit to the national assembly to approve the position of the state president of the socialist republic of Vietnam. The process is expected to begin on Monday, with the national assembly commencing its selection of a new president.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What led to the leadership changeovers in Vietnam?
A: A major anti-graft purge since 2021 swept up several high-level figures, including two presidents and three deputy prime ministers.

Q: What is the country’s four-pillar leadership structure?
A: The country’s four-pillar leadership structure includes the general secretary, president, prime minister, and head of the National Assembly.

Q: Who is the current President of Vietnam?
A: To Lam is the current President of Vietnam, having been named general secretary of the Communist Party in August.

Q: When will the national assembly start the process of choosing a president?
A: The process is expected to begin on Monday.