Vietnam president quits as Communist Party intensifies graft crackdown
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[January 17, 2023]
By Khanh Vu and Phuong Nguyen
HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has resigned after
the ruling Communist Party blamed him for "violations and wrongdoing" by
officials under his control, the government said on Tuesday, in a major
escalation of the country's anti-graft campaign.
Phuc, a former prime minister widely credited with accelerating
pro-business reforms, held the largely ceremonial post of president
since 2021 and is the highest-ranking official targeted by the party's
sweeping corruption crackdown.
Vietnam has no paramount ruler and is officially led by four "pillars":
the party's secretary, the president, prime minister and speaker of the
house.
Phuc, 68, was ultimately responsible for offences committed by many
officials, including two deputy prime ministers and three ministers, the
government said.
"Fully being aware of his responsibilities before the party and people,
he submitted an application to resign from his assigned positions, quit
his job and retire," it said in statement.
Phuc's office could not immediately be reached for comment and it was
not clear if a replacement has been chosen.
Vietnam has been rife with speculation he would be removed following
January's dismissal of two deputy prime ministers who served under him,
as the party doubles down on a "blazing furnace" anti-corruption drive
led by its powerful long-serving chief, Nguyen Phu Trong.
Last year, 539 party members were prosecuted or "disciplined" for
corruption and "deliberate wrongdoings", including ministers, top
officials and diplomats, according to the party, while police
investigated 453 corruption cases, up 50% from 2021.
Trong earlier this month said the party was "more determined" and "more
effective and methodical" in its approach, and vowed to deliver results.
IMPACT UNCERTAIN
Opinions vary on the impact of the anti-graft drive on investment and
policy.
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Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan
Phuc arrives to attend APEC Leader's Dialogue with APEC Business
Advisory Council during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
summit, November 18, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand. Lillian Suwanrumpha/Pool
via REUTERS/File Photo
Le Hong Hiep of the Vietnam Studies Programme at the Singapore's
ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute said the purge could pave the way for
cleaner more capable leaders to rise.
"As long as the leadership reshuffles do not lead to radical policy
changes, their impact on the economy will also be limited," Hiep
posted on his Facebook account.
However, Ha Hoang Hop, a senior visiting fellow at the same
institute, said Phuc's demise and uncertainty over the impact of the
crackdown could unnerve investors.
"This could lead Vietnam to a time of instability that would worry
foreign friends and investors," he said.
Phuc's resignation requires approval from the legislature, which
sources on Monday said would hold a rare extraordinary meeting this
week, adding to expectation that Phuc's fate had been sealed.
Phuc, who was known in Vietnam for his friendly approach and love
for the national soccer team, was once tipped as a future party
General Secretary, the state's most prestigious job.
As prime minister from 2016 to 2021, he oversaw an average 6% annual
economic growth for Asia's burgeoning manufacturing powerhouse and
helped further a liberalisation drive that included trade deals with
the European Union and Pacific powers.
Despite his downfall, the government on Tuesday praised his
achievements, particularly his pandemic response.
"He has made great efforts in leading, directing and administering
the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, achieving important
results," it said.
(Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Martin Petty)
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