Vietnam’s New President To Lam
BANGKOK — Vietnam’s rubber-stamp parliament voted in its public security chief To Lam as the country’s new president on Wednesday, after a major anticorruption campaign forced his predecessor to resign.
Anticorruption Campaign
Thousands of people — including several senior government and business leaders — have been caught up in the Southeast Asian country’s crackdown on graft, led by Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
Leadership Structure
Analysts have said that Lam, who is deputy head of the steering committee on anticorruption, has weaponized its investigations to take down his political rivals. Led by the Communist Party general secretary, Vietnam’s leadership structure gives the president the second-most authority — but the position is largely seen as ceremonial.
New President’s Agenda
In his first remarks as president, Lam said he was “determined to fight corruption and negative phenomena.”
Government Hierarchy
The communist government’s four-person hierarchy also includes the prime minister and the head of the National Assembly.
Political Upheaval
Political upheaval is uncommon in Vietnam, and analysts have warned the turmoil may threaten the country’s reputation for stability, which has helped it build a highly successful export-driven manufacturing economy, making products for major global brands.
Human Rights Concerns
Lam, 66, had been public security minister since 2016 and has taken a hard line on human rights movements in the country. Rights campaigners say the government has, in recent years, stepped up a crackdown on civil society groups.
Challenges Ahead
However, given he is no longer at the helm of the MPS, “he may be in a weaker position to take down Pham Minh Chinh,” the prime minister and only other contender for the role, Abuza added.