Hanoi, Vietnam
CNN
—
Vietnam’s National Assembly on Thursday appointed Vo Van Tuong as the country’s new president in a reshuffle of the country’s top leadership amid a massive campaign against bribery.
In an emergency meeting, lawmakers elected Tuong, 52, after the ruling Communist Party nominated him for president on Wednesday, in a largely ceremonial but one of the top four political positions in the Southeast Asian nation.
He was elected with 98.38% of the vote, according to the parliament’s online portal.
Tuong’s confirmation as president of a one-party state followed the sudden resignation in January of his predecessor. Nguyen Xuan Phucwho was accused by the party of “violations and wrongdoing” by officials under his control, in what was seen as a major escalation of anti-corruption crackdowns in the “burning furnace” country.
In his first speech to Parliament as President, Tuong said he would “resolutely” continue the fight against corruption.
“I will be absolutely loyal to the fatherland, the people and the constitution, striving to fulfill the tasks set by the party, the state and the people,” Tuong said in a statement broadcast on state television.
Tuong is the youngest member of the party’s Politburo, the country’s highest governing body, and is considered a party veteran who began his political career at the university in communist youth organizations.
He is widely regarded as being close to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam’s most powerful figure and the party’s chief architect. fight against corruption.
“The kiln burning campaign will not cool down for the foreseeable future,” said Florian Feyerabend, a spokesperson for the German think tank Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Vietnam.
Diplomats and businessmen have expressed concern about the anti-bribery campaign because it has paralyzed many routine operations in Vietnam as officials fear being drawn into reprisals.
The Hanoi-based diplomat said Tuong’s election was an important step for General Secretary Trong amid attempts to replace him, given the 78-year-old leader could step down before his third term ends in 2026.
The general secretary is usually chosen from among one of the senior leaders.
Analysts and investors regarded the elections as an indicator of continuity in the country’s foreign and economic policy.
“After Tuong is elected, there will be no major changes in Vietnam’s foreign policy,” said Le Hong Heep, senior fellow and expert on Vietnam at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
A foreign investor from Vietnam, who declined to be named, said the election ended the uncertainty caused by the sudden dismissal of the former president.
“This means that stability and predictability have been restored,” he said.
Vietnam is a major recipient of foreign investment, and business leaders often cite its political stability as a key reason to invest.