Vietnam’s parliament elected army general Luong Cuong as the new state president on Monday, a move expected to bring stability following a period of political upheaval. The 67-year-old Cuong takes over from To Lam, who had briefly served as president after being appointed in May. Lam also took on the role of party chief following the death of former general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in July.
Unanimous Election of Luong Cuong
Cuong was unanimously elected, receiving the vote of all 440 deputies present at the parliamentary session. Currently, he holds a significant position in the Communist Party’s secretariat, making him the fifth-highest ranking official in Vietnam after the party chief, president, prime minister, and the chairman of parliament. Cuong is also a member of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body in the country.
Symbolic Role of the State President
Though the role of state president holds limited direct power, it is significant in representing Vietnam in high-level meetings with foreign leaders. To Lam, in his brief tenure, met with officials from China, Russia, and the United States. In Communist-run Vietnam, the position of party chief has grown increasingly powerful, a trend that began under the late Nguyen Phu Trong’s 13-year leadership.
Power-Sharing and Stability
To Lam’s decision to relinquish the presidency is seen by many diplomats as a sign of a power-sharing compromise within the Communist Party. While foreign investors had long praised Vietnam for its political stability, they were surprised by the recent leadership turmoil, which was marked by an anti-corruption campaign leading to the resignation of two presidents and a parliament chairman in a short span of time.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The new political arrangement, with Cuong now at the helm as state president, is expected to last until 2026, when Vietnam undergoes its regular five-year reorganisation of political leadership. Until then, this change is anticipated to bring a sense of stability, crucial for both domestic governance and Vietnam’s relationships with international investors.
