Vietnam starts voting on top legislator

By Son Ha May 19, 2024 | 06:15 pm PT

National Assembly delegates prepare to enter its seventh session on May 20, 2024. Photo by Hoang Phong

The National Assembly, Vietnam's legislature, begins the process of electing its chairman on Monday after the opening of its seventh session.

The review and decision-making process for senior personnel will take place over two days. Delegates will first elect the chairperson of the National Assembly, and then the state president.

The Central Party Committee on Saturday recommended public security minister To Lam as Vietnam's president and standing vice chairman of the NA Tran Thanh Man as its chairman.

The NA's Secretary-General Bui Van Cuong said the committee had not yet nominated a candidate for the Minister of Public Security, so the NA is yet to approve or dismiss this position at the 7th meeting.

The Deputy Head of the Delegate Affairs Committee, Nguyen Tuan Anh, also stated that the National Assembly has not yet conducted a new election for the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly, and is waiting for the competent authority, the Politburo, to review and decide.

Tran Thanh Man, 62, was the chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee, secretary of Can Tho Party Committee and head of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee.

Since April 2021, he has been vice chairman of the National Assembly.

The seventh session will last 27 days in two phases. The first phase takes place from May 20 until June 8 and the second phase covers June 17-28.

The session is expected to pass 10 bills, including revised laws on social insurance and road traffic safety, among others.

The election of new leaders followed the exit of former President Vo Van Thuong and former chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue from their positions.

On March 20, the Central Party Committee granted Thuong's request to step down from his positions as president, member of the Politburo, member of the Central Party Committee, and chairman of the National Defense and Security Council.

The National Assembly officially voted for him to step down the next day. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, previously vice president, is now acting president.

On May 2, the National Assembly granted Hue’s personal request to step down as chairman, after the Central Party Committee approved his resignation. Man has been assigned to operate the National Assembly in his stead.