National Assembly to hold extraordinary session on personnel

The assembly meeting will come after an extraordinary meeting by the Communist Party's Central Committee on Tuesday saw President Nguyen Xuan Phuc resign from his positions as president, member of the Politburo and the Central Party Committee, as well as chairman of the Council for National Defense and Security of the 2021-2026 term.

As the prime minister during the 2016-2021 period, Phuc made great efforts in leading, directing and administering the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the results of which were effective, a statement from the committee meeting said.

However, as the efforts' primary leader, he was responsible for letting several officials, including two deputy prime ministers and three ministers, commit violations that caused severe consequences. Two deputy prime ministers have stepped down from their positions, while two ministers and several other officials are facing criminal charges.

"As he was well aware of his responsibilities to the Party and the people, Phuc filed a request to resign from his positions and retire," the statement said.

Vietnam's Constitution 2013 stipulates that the president is the head of state, representing the country in internal and external affairs. The president is voted on by the National Assembly, and thus the assembly will perform procedures to dismiss Phuc as president.

Another extraordinary meeting on January 5 saw environmental minister Tran Hong Ha and Hai Phong Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang become new deputy prime ministers, replacing Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam.