Vietnam's Government Undergoes Major Reshuffle Ahead of Presidential Election

Vietnam's parliament has approved significant changes to senior government positions as the country prepares to elect its third president in under two years. Among the noteworthy appointments are new deputy prime ministers, a new justice minister, and a new environment minister, signaling a remarkable political shift.

Vietnam's parliament on Monday approved a significant reshuffle of senior government positions in the Communist-led country in preparation for a new presidential election in October, marking the third such change in less than two years.

Previously noted for its political stability, Vietnam has experienced frequent leadership changes over the past two years. State President To Lam, named party chief in August, currently holds the most influential position in the country. According to National Assembly general secretary Bui Van Cuong, a new president will be elected in October during the parliament's regular session, ending speculation about Lam's potential departure from the presidency.

The parliament's extraordinary session, which gathered in Hanoi, focused on personnel decisions and resulted in the appointment of three new deputy prime ministers, a new environment minister, and a new justice minister. The new deputy prime ministers are Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Finance Minister Ho Duc Phoc, and Chief Justice Nguyen Hoa Binh, with Son and Phoc retaining interim and permanent roles in their respective ministries.

The shake-up follows the departure of deputy prime ministers Le Minh Khai and Tran Luu Quang, with Khai facing disciplinary action and Quang assuming leadership of the Communist Party's Central Economic Committee. The significant turnover at the top includes the resignation of two state presidents and a parliament chairman due to allegations of misconduct, as well as numerous high-profile resignations amid an extensive anti-corruption campaign.

With the latest appointments, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh now has five deputy prime ministers. Additionally, the parliament named Nguyen Hai Ninh as the new justice minister and Do Duc Duy as the environment minister, both previously provincial party chiefs.

(With inputs from agencies.)