HANOI — On October 21, Vietnam's Parliament elected army general Luong Cuong as the new state President, a move anticipated to bring stability following a period of political upheaval marked by departures and reshuffles.

Cuong, 67, succeeds To Lam, who had taken on the presidency in May. Lam also assumed the more influential role of party chief after general-secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away in July.

All 440 deputies present at the parliamentary session on October 21 voted in favor of Cuong.

In his first speech, Cuong pledged to enhance national defense and uphold an independent, multilateral foreign policy. He emphasized building a "revolutionary, well-trained, agile, and modern" military.

Vietnam, which has long sought to diversify its predominantly Russian-sourced weapons, has not reported any major defense deals in recent years.

Before his election, Cuong held a prominent position in the Communist Party's secretariat, ranking as the fifth-highest official in the nation after the party chief, president, prime minister, and Parliament's chairperson. He is also a Politburo member, the party's highest decision-making body.

Although the state President holds limited direct power, the role is vital for representing Vietnam in high-level meetings with foreign leaders. In his brief term, Lam met with key figures from China, Russia, and the United States, among others.

Power Dynamics

In Vietnam, the party chief has become the most powerful position, a trend reinforced during Trong's 13-year tenure as he expanded the role's authority.

Lam's decision to step down from the presidency could signal a compromise in power-sharing within the Communist Party, according to multiple diplomats.

Foreign investors, especially those involved in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, have long valued the country's political stability. However, recent leadership changes, driven by an anti-corruption campaign that led to the resignation of two state presidents and a Parliament chairman within 17 months, surprised many.

The new power-sharing agreement is expected to last until 2026, when the country undergoes its regular five-year leadership reshuffle.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file