State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigns

The Party Central Committee has agreed to let Nguyen Xuan Phuc resign as a Politburo member, Party Central Committee member, and State President per his wish.

Phuc also steps down as Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council for the 2021-2026 term.

According to an announcement released by the commitee on Tuesday, Nguyen Xuan Phuc is a key leader of the Party and State. He was born into a family rich in revolutionary traditions, received adequate training, grew up from the grassroots, and was assigned by the Party Central Committee and the Politburo (the Communist Party's premier decision making body) to hold many important leadership positions in the Party and State."

"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 works, achieving important results.

"However, as a top leader, Phuc has held political responsibility in letting many officials, including two Deputy Prime Ministers and three ministers, commit violations and shortcomings, causing very serious consequences," the release noted.

Previously, Deputy Prime Ministers Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam had resigned from their positions, while two ministers and many other officials have been handled per the Penal Code.

Aware of his responsibilities before the Party and people, Phuc submitted an application to resign from his positions and retire.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, 69, is a native of Quang Nam province. He has a bachelor's degree in economics. He was a Politburo member for three consecutive terms, Party Central Committee member for four consecutive terms, and National Assembly delegate for four terms.

After graduating from the Hanoi National Economics University, he returned to his hometown to work as an officer of the economic management board of Quang Nam- Danang province.

He was a specialist, deputy head and then head of the provincial People's Committee's Office; director of the provincial Department of Tourism cum chairman of the Furama Danang Tourist Area's board of directors; director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment.

From 1997 to 2006, he was Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee cum head of the provincial Industrial Parks Management Board; Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, chairman of the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Quang Nam province.

In March 2006, he became deputy inspector general of the Government; then Vice Chairman of the Government Office; then Minister, Chairman of the Government Office.

In August 2011, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and elected Prime Minister five years later by the National Assembly.

At the 13th National Congress in early 2021, Prime Minister Phuc was one of two "special cases" that the 12th Politburo re-elected. In April 2021, Phuc was appointed State President.

At the beginning of the 13th term, the Politburo had 18 members. After Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned, the Politburo now has 16 members.