Vietnam's Parliament Chairman Resigns Amid Political Turmoil
Vietnam's parliament chairman, Vuong Dinh Hue, has resigned due to "violations and shortcomings," marking the latest development in a period of political turbulence for the Southeast Asian nation. This news comes just weeks after the dismissal of the country's president, Vo Van Thuong.
Hue, 67, was considered a potential candidate for the position of Communist Party secretary, Vietnam's most powerful role. However, the government website, citing a statement from the Communist Party's Central Committee, announced his resignation and removal from the Central Committee and the Politburo. The statement did not specify the nature of the violations.
This resignation follows the arrest of Hue's assistant on charges of bribery involving an infrastructure company. The incident is part of Vietnam's ongoing "blazing furnace" anti-corruption campaign, which has seen numerous high-profile officials and business executives prosecuted or forced to step down.
The latest leadership change raises concerns about political stability in Vietnam, a major manufacturing hub and foreign investment destination. The departure of Hue, a trained economist and former deputy prime minister, follows the dismissal of President Thuong in March for violating party rules. This marked the second presidential exit in just over a year, prompting concerns about the country's appeal to foreign investors.
A survey of over 650 business leaders conducted by foreign chambers of commerce in Vietnam highlighted political stability as a key factor attracting foreign firms to the country. The recent political turmoil could potentially impact Vietnam's attractiveness as an investment destination.
Hue's resignation comes amidst rumors that spread during his visit to China in April, where he met with President Xi Jinping. The rumors, which surfaced while he was abroad, involved the arrest of his assistant, which was officially announced two weeks later.
Earlier in April, real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was sentenced to death for her role in a multi-billion-dollar financial fraud. The case involved senior officials turning a blind eye to the fraud for years.