National Assembly to hold extraordinary session Wednesday on personnel matter

The assembly meeting will come after an extraordinary meeting by the Communist Party’s Central Committee on Tuesday saw President Nguyen Xuan Phuc stepping down from his positions as president, member of the Politburo and the Central Party Committee, and chairman of the Council for National Defense and Security of the 2021-2026 term upon his own request.

As the prime minister during the 2016-2021 period, Phuc made many efforts in leading, directing and administering the Covid-19 fight to achieve important results, a statement from the committee’s meeting said.

However, as the leader, he was responsible for letting several officials, including two deputy prime ministers and three ministers, commit violations that caused severe consequences. Two deputy prime minister have stepped down from their positions, while two ministers and several other officals are facing criminal charges.

“As he was well aware of his responsibilities to the Party and the people, Phuc filed a request to resign from his positions and retire,” the statement said.

Vietnam’s Constitution 2013 stipulates that the president is the head of state, represents the country in internal and external affairs. The president is voted by the National Assembly among the assembly’s deputies, and thus the assembly will perform procedures to dismiss Phuc as president.

Another extraordinary meeting on January 5 saw environment minister Tran Hong Ha and Hai Phong Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang becoming new deputy prime ministers, replacing Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam.