Vietnam's Communist Party Names To Lam Top Leader

Umer Jamshaid Published August 03, 2024 | 04:00 PM

Hanoi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) Vietnamese President To Lam was formally named the country's top leader Saturday, pledging to "speed up" a sweeping anti-graft campaign that has snared thousands.

The Communist Party elected Lam general secretary at a morning session, the party said at a press conference, making him the most powerful figure in Vietnam's leadership structure.

Lam's ascension comes two weeks after the death of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's most powerful leader in decades, who presided over the so-called blazing furnace crackdown on corruption.

In his first remarks as general secretary, Lam pledged to "speed up" the campaign that has seen numerous top officials and senior business leaders face charges.

"(I will) continue to speed up anti-corruption ... regardless of who the person is," Lam told the press conference.

"We have gained the trust of the people, and international friends, in our fight".

The party's general secretary is the most powerful figure in Vietnam's leadership structure, with the president occupying a largely ceremonial role that includes meeting foreign counterparts.

Lam became president in May after his predecessor resigned amid the vast anti-graft purge.

It was not immediately clear if Lam would simultaneously continue to serve as president.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to To Lam, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.

"To Lam has not been fearful of taking down some highly important people," Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales, told AFP.

"He is going to do it again."

Vietnam's Communist Party said later on Saturday it had accepted the resignations of four members for "violations of party rules... and regulations on preventing and fighting corruption and negative phenomena".

The four include a deputy prime minister, the minister of natural resources and environment and two provincial party chiefs, the party said on its website.