HANOI: Vietnam must elect its third president in just under a year after the ruling Communist Party on Wednesday (March 20) forced president Vo Van Tuong to resign.
The Communist Party’s Central Committee, the main decision-making body, has accepted Thuong’s resignation after announcing he violated party rules that had a negative impact on public opinion, the reputation of the party, the country and himself personally.
Vietnam’s parliament will hold a special session Thursday to accept Thuong’s resignation.
The Communist Party did not provide further details about Thuong’s crimes but they are thought to be related to an ongoing campaign to eradicate corruption.
Thuong stepped down just days after Vietnamese police arrested the former governor of Quang Ngai province in Central Vietnam on suspicion of corruption ten years ago. Thuong during that period served as provincial party chairman.
Thuong’s forced resignation echoes what happened to his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who was also forced to step down last year.
This second change in a year marks unusual political turmoil that could weaken foreign investors’ confidence in “Uncle Ho’s” country.
Vietnam, which is a one-party state, is known to have strong political stability.
The office of President of Vietnam is ceremonial but is one of the top four political positions.
This position is even more crucial because both Thuong and Phuc were previously mentioned as strong candidates for General Secretary of the Communist Party, the most powerful position in the country, replacing the ailing Nguyen Phu Trong who is expected to step down at the next party congress in early 2026.
Thuong is known to have a close relationship with Trong.
It is estimated that parliament will appoint an acting president until the party decides on a new president.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, who held that position last year, has the opportunity to be re-elected as acting.
Strong names tipped to become the new president include influential public security minister To Lam and party veteran Truong Thi Mai.
However, Lam is believed to be more interested in the position of secretary general of the communist party to replace Truong
