Vietnamese President Phuc resigns over ministerial ‘violations’

HANOI – Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has resigned after being accused by the ruling Communist Party of “violations and wrongdoings” by officials under his control during his tenure as prime minister, the government said Tuesday.

Phuc, 68, who was prime minister from 2016 to 2021, has held the largely ceremonial presidency for less than two years and is the highest-ranking official targeted by the party’s wide-ranging crackdown on corruption.

Vietnam does not have a supreme ruler and is officially led by four “pillars”: the secretary of an influential party, the president, the prime minister, and the chairman of the legislative assembly.

“Fully aware of his responsibility to the party and the people, he submitted an application for resignation from his positions, dismissal from his job and retirement,” the government said in a statement, citing the influential Central Committee of the party.

Phuc’s office could not be contacted for comment, and it is unclear whether the party that accepted his resignation has identified a candidate to replace him.

There has been widespread speculation in recent weeks that Phuc will step down after sacking two deputy prime ministers who served under him in January as the party redoubles efforts to fight corruption in a “burning furnace” led by its longtime head, Nguyen Phu. Chong.

A slew of investigations and layoffs signal an intensification of crackdowns, despite fears that they will paralyze routine operations as officials fear being implicated in investigations.

According to the party, in 2022 alone, 539 party members were prosecuted or “disciplined” for corruption and “intentional offences,” including ministers, high-ranking officials and diplomats, and the police investigated 453 cases of corruption, which 50% more than in 2021.

Fuca’s resignation requires the approval of the National Assembly to take effect. Sources familiar with political and parliamentary affairs told Reuters on Monday that the legislature would hold a rare emergency session this week.

Phuc was elected in April 2021 as president, and many believed that he would succeed the party’s general secretary, the most prestigious position in the state.

For five years, he served as a pro-business prime minister, overseeing the further acceleration of the economic liberalization process, which included trade deals with the European Union and Pacific powers, including Japan and Australia.

Despite his fall, the government on Tuesday praised him for his accomplishments.

“As Prime Minister for the period 2016-2021, he has made great efforts to lead, direct and manage the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, achieving important results,” the statement said.

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