Legislative body to vote on Vietnam President candidate

The National Assembly will convene Thursday morning to vote on a State President candidate nominated by the Party Central Committee.

The committee on Wednesday had recommended a candidate for the position.

Previously, on January 17, the Party Central Committee had agreed to let Nguyen Xuan Phuc step down as a Politburo member, Party Central Committee member, State President, and Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council for the 2021-2026 term per his wish.

One day after that, the National Assembly, the policy-making body, voted and agreed to let Phuc resign from his position of State President. Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan then became the acting President.

Before becoming President in April 2021, Phuc had one term as Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021.

"As Prime Minister for the 2016-2021 term, he made great efforts in leading, directing and administering the country's Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control work, achieving important results.

"However, as a top leader, Phuc allowed officials, including two Deputy Prime Ministers and three ministers, commit violations and shortcomings, causing very serious consequences," read an announcement released by the Party Central Committee.

The State President in Vietnam is among the top four political figures in the country, together with the Party’s General Secretary, the Prime Minister, and the National Assembly Chairman.