Vietnamese President Steps Up Amid Party Leader’s Health Crisis

Vietnamese President To Lam has become the caretaker of the Communist Party due to party chief Nguyen Phu Trong's health issues. Trong, who has led Vietnamese politics since 2011, is known for his strong anti-corruption stance. Lam, a key figure in anti-graft efforts, is seen as Trong’s likely successor.

Vietnamese President To Lam on Thursday stepped in as the caretaker of the Communist Party due to the poor health of party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the party revealed in a statement.

Nguyen Phu Trong, elected to a third term as general secretary in 2021, has been a dominant force in Vietnamese politics since becoming party chief in 2011. Known for his stringent anti-corruption stance, Trong has long viewed graft as the primary threat to the party.

As Vietnam's top security official, Lam spearheaded Trong's extensive anti-graft campaign until May, when he ascended to the presidency following his predecessor's resignation amidst the campaign. Lam is now widely regarded as the top candidate to succeed Trong when his term concludes in 2026. With over four decades in the Ministry of Public Security and a pivotal role in enforcing anti-corruption measures, Lam's credentials are well-established.

The powerful Politburo has now tasked Lam with presiding over the work of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat, according to a statement from the party's central office.

The statement also confirmed the long-rumoured ill health of Trong but did not provide further specifics.

(With inputs from agencies.)