Jean MartinVietnam’s upcoming parliamentary session, scheduled for Thursday, is poised to delve into unspecified “personnel issues,” as revealed in a letter addressed to legislators and obtained by Reuters.
This development has sparked speculation about a potential reshuffling of the top leadership within the Communist-ruled nation.
Potential Resignation of President Vo Van Thuong:
Amidst the anticipation surrounding the parliamentary meeting, numerous Vietnamese officials and diplomats have hinted at President Vo Van Thuong’s possible resignation as one of the key personnel matters under consideration.
While a Vietnamese official has confirmed the impending session, responses from the foreign affairs ministry and parliament’s press offices are awaited.
The Special Session’s Agenda:
The letter, signed by the general secretary of the national assembly, Bui Van Cuong, outlines the purpose of the extraordinary session, which is to deliberate and determine personnel matters.
However, specific decisions to be reached during this session remain undisclosed. The timing of this meeting coincides with the postponement of a state visit by the Dutch royal family due to “domestic circumstances.”
Previous Precedents:
The National Assembly’s involvement in such significant decisions is not unprecedented. Last year, in January, a special session was convened to accept the abrupt resignation of then-president Nguyen Xuan Phuc amid an anti-corruption campaign.
This move was seen as potentially indicative of political maneuvering within the leadership.
Vo Van Thuong Profile and Political Alignment:
President Vo Van Thuong, aged 53, assumed office in March 2023 and is perceived to have a close association with Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Communist Party and a dominant figure in Vietnamese politics.
While the president’s role is largely ceremonial, it holds substantial significance as one of Vietnam’s top four political positions.
