National Assembly President Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane addresses the debate session on Monday.

NA members debate changes to constitution 

A four-day extraordinary session of the National Assembly (NA)’s 9th Legislature kicked off on Monday to debate and approve changes to the Constitution, which was last revised in 2015.
Members will also agree on changes to the Law on Local Governance, Law on Civil Servants, and investment incentives to attract more investors in industrial zones.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, NA President Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane said the sitting was taking place in alignment with the rules of the Constitution and the Law on the National Assembly.
“It is the intention of the National Assembly to implement and translate the Party’s policies into detailed content in the Constitution and laws. This will take efforts to drive the development of a state governed by law to a new level, making state management and socio-economic management more efficient and effective,” he said.
Members will make comments on policies to promote investment in key industrial zones, as well as consider the Prime Minister’s proposal regarding improvement of the overall government structure.
Several other important issues will also be debated during the four-day session.
The NA President called on all parties involved to provide a thorough, creative, focused, visionary, and logical perspective based on a comprehensive new approach aligned with the Party’s principles, the Constitution, state laws, and Laos’ current socio-economic circumstances.
The latest draft of the 2025 constitution consists of 14 chapters and 122 articles. It includes 5 new articles, 59 amended articles, 3 cancelled articles, and 58 unchanged articles.
Changes have been proposed to Chapter I on the Political Regime (Articles 1-12), Chapter II on the Economic and Social Regime (Articles 13-30) and Chapter III on National Defence and Public Security (Articles 31-34).
Amendments are also proposed to Chapter IV on the Basic Rights and Obligations of Citizens (Articles 35–52), Chapter V on the National Assembly (Articles 53-65), Chapter VI on the President (Articles 66-69) and Chapter VII on Government (Articles 70-76).
There will also be amendments to Chapter VIII on Local People’s Councils (Articles 77-85) Chapter IX on Local Government Organisations (Articles 86-88) and Chapter X on People’s Courts and People’s Prosecution Organisations (Articles 89-102).
These deep-seated changes will also include revision of Chapter XI on the State Inspection Authorities and State Auditing Organisation (Articles 103-110), Chapter XII on the Election Committee (Articles 111-112), Chapter XIII on Language, Script, National Emblem, National Flag, National Anthem, National Day, Currency, and Capital City (Articles 113-119), and Chapter XIV on Final Provisions (Articles 120-122).
National Assembly Vice President, Prof. Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher, on behalf of the National Committee for the Amendment of the Constitution, presented key proposals on various articles of the Constitution for consideration and approval.
Following the presentation, NA members commented on the changes made to articles, chapters, and sections of the Constitution, to ensure that the definitions of key articles are correct.
The government is amending the Constitution and other fundamental laws to better regulate state affairs.
The state and government hope that the changes made will strengthen efforts to tackle the urgent needs of state governance and socio-economic development in the years to come.
Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Ministers and other senior Party and government leaders attended the opening ceremony of the NA’s extraordinary session, which continues until March 20.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
 (Latest Update March 18, 2025)