Vietnam’s president quits, pinned for ministers’ ‘violations’

VIETNAMESE President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has resigned after the ruling Communist Party blamed him for “violations and wrongdoing” by officials under his control while prime minister, the government said on Tuesday (Jan 17).

Phuc, 68, who was premier from 2016 to 2021, has held the largely ceremonial position of president for less than two years. He was the highest-ranking official targeted by the ruling party’s sweeping corruption crackdown.

Vietnam has no paramount ruler, and is officially led by four “pillars”: the Communist Party’s secretary, the president, the prime minister and the chair of the legislature.

“Fully being aware of his responsibilities before the party and people, he submitted an application to resign from his assigned positions, quit his job and retire,” the government said, citing the party’s central committee.

While the Communist Party accepted Phuc’s resignation, it was not clear if it had identified a candidate to replace him.

There was widespread speculation in recent weeks that Phuc would quit, after two deputy prime ministers who had served under him were dismissed in January. This came as the Communist Party doubled down on a “blazing furnace” anti-corruption drive, led by its longest-serving chief, Nguyen Phu Trong.

The raft of investigations and dismissals signalled an intensification of the crackdown, despite concerns that it was paralysing routine transactions, as officials feared being entangled in the probes.

The Communist Party said that in 2022 alone, 539 party members were prosecuted or “disciplined” for corruption and “deliberate wrongdoings”, including ministers, top officials and diplomats. The police investigated 453 corruption cases, up 50 per cent from 2021.

To become effective, Phuc’s resignation requires approval from the National Assembly. Sources with knowledge of political and parliamentary affairs on Monday told Reuters that the legislature would hold a rare extraordinary meeting this week.

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Phuc was chosen in April 2021 to be president. He was also widely tipped to succeed the party’s general secretary, the state’s most prestigious job.

He served for five years as a pro-business prime minister, overseeing the acceleration of an economic liberalisation drive that included trade deals with the European Union and Pacific powers, such as Japan and Australia.

Despite Phuc’s downfall, the government on Tuesday praised him for his achievements.

“As prime minister for the 2016 to 2021 term, he has made great efforts in leading, directing and administering Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control, achieving important results,” it said.

Phuc’s office could not immediately be reached for comment. REUTERS