President Lam is the head of the Communist Party in Vietnam

Last Updated on August 4, 2024 8:41 am

Vietnamese President Tu Lam has been announced as the new head of the ruling Communist Party. His name was officially announced for the post on Saturday (August 3).

Lam’s name as Communist Party chief came two weeks after the death of previous general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Lam, 67, took over as interim party chief on July 18, a day before Trong’s death. Due to deteriorating health, Nguyen retired temporarily. He died a day later.

Officials told a press conference that party representatives unanimously supported Lam’s nomination.

Addressing delegates, Lam pledged to be a worthy successor to Trong in a speech. He promised not to make any changes in the foreign policy of the Southeast Asian country. Will focus on the socio-economic development of the country and continue the campaign against corruption.

On Saturday, he said that he took up the charge due to the urgent need to ensure leadership of the party.

It is not yet clear, however, whether Lam will hold both posts until the end of the legislative session in 2026 or whether a new president will be elected.

Officials and diplomats told news agency Reuters that the party had discussed electing a new president so that Lam could focus on the job of party chief. A diplomat told Reuters on Saturday that talks were still ongoing.

Source: Al Jazeera, Reuters