Vietnam Approves Major Government Reshuffle Ahead of Presidential Election

Vietnam's parliament has approved a significant reshuffle of senior government positions as the country prepares to elect a new state president in October. The move follows the appointment of State President To Lam as party chief earlier this year, with new deputy prime ministers and ministers also taking office.

Vietnam's parliament on Monday approved a major reshuffle of senior government positions as the Communist-run country gears up for a presidential election in October. This will be the third new president in less than two years.

Known for its political stability, Vietnam has experienced repeated high-level changes recently, culminating in the appointment of State President To Lam as party chief in August. The National Assembly's general secretary, Bui Van Cuong, revealed that parliament would elect a new state president during a regular session in October, dispelling weeks of speculation about when Lam would relinquish the presidency.

At an extraordinary meeting in Hanoi, legislators discussed personnel issues and appointed three new deputy prime ministers, as well as new environment and justice ministers. The new deputy prime ministers are Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Finance Minister Ho Duc Phoc, and Chief Justice Nguyen Hoa Binh. Parliament also named Nguyen Hai Ninh as justice minister and Do Duc Duy as environment minister.

(With inputs from agencies.)