Vietnam's President To Lam has assumed the responsibilities of Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, who is currently undergoing unspecified health treatment, as announced by the party on Thursday. This development follows ongoing speculation regarding Trong's declining health, although the specific nature of his treatment remains undisclosed.
Lam, a former head of internal security, has long been considered a leading candidate to succeed Trong when his term concludes in 2026. The party's influential Politburo has entrusted Lam with overseeing the operations of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat, according to a statement from the party's central office.
While Vietnam officially lacks a paramount ruler, the party chief wields significant power in the Communist-led nation. Trong, aged 80, has held the position since 2011. Notably, Trong, known for his Marxist-Leninist ideology, initiated an anti-corruption campaign dubbed 'blazing furnace' in 2017, reminiscent of China's approach. However, recent public appearances have revealed Trong's frailty, leading to his absence from several high-level meetings.
In a surprising move, the Politburo honored Trong on Thursday with the Gold Star medal, the country's highest accolade for public officials. Lam, who assumed the presidency in May amid the departure of several top leaders over alleged misconduct, has been a key figure in Trong's anti-corruption efforts. Following his election, Lam pledged to continue the fight against corruption with determination and persistence.
Following the announcement of Lam's expanded powers, Vietnam's main stock market experienced a modest 0.5% increase. A senior Western diplomat based in Hanoi viewed Lam's enhanced role as a positive step for stability. However, the diplomat cautioned that the implications of these changes on economic, foreign, and domestic policies remain to be seen.
