Vo Van Thuong relieved from Presidency: Party Central Committee

Hanoi (Vietnam News/ANN) -- The 13th-tenure Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) convened on Wednesday in Hanoi to deliberate and give opinions on personnel matters.

Vo Van Thuong. —Photo VNA/VNS	Hoang Thị Thuy Lan. -- PhotoVNA/VNS

These include the cessation of duties of Vo Van Thuong, Member of the Politburo and Member of the 13th Central Committee of the CPV, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council for the term 2021-26; and considering disciplinary actions against Hoang Thị Thuy Lan, Member of the 13th Central Committee, former Secretary of Vinh Phuc Province's Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council.
The announcement from the Party Central Committee noted that Vo Van Thuong is a key Party and State leader, who has been trained from the grassroots level and tasked with many important leadership positions of the Party and the State.
"However, according to reports from the Central Inspection Commission and relevant agencies, Comrade Vo Van Thuong has violated Party regulations on prohibitions for Party members, regulations on the responsibility of officials to set an example, especially members of the Politburo, Secretariat and the Central Committee of the Party, and is held accountable as the leader, according to Party regulations and State laws."
"The violations and shortcomings of Comrade Vo Van Thuong have caused negative public opinion, affecting the reputation of the Party, the State and his own person."
The Party Central Committee said that Thuong, recognising his responsibilities to the Party, the State and the people, has submitted a letter requesting relief from his assigned duties and work.
Based on the current regulations of the Party and the State and considering the personal wishes of Thuong, the Party Central Committee agrees to relieve Thuong of his duties as Member of the Politburo, Member of the 13th Central Committee of the Party, President of Vietnam and Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council for the term 2021-26.
As for Hoang Thị Thuy Lan, the committee noted that she has degraded in political ideology, morality and lifestyle; seriously violated Party regulations and State laws in the discharge of assigned duties and tasks, violated regulations on what Party members are not allowed to do and the responsibility to set an example; accepted bribes, causing very serious consequences and public outrage, and seriously affecting the prestige of the Party organisation and local authorities.
Based on the content, nature, extent, consequences and causes of the violations, following Party regulations on disciplinary actions, the Party Central Committee decides to implement disciplinary action against Lan by expulsion from the Party.
Earlier in March, Lan was detained by the police on the charge of 'taking bribes' in connection with the case of Phuc Son Group, involving tax evasion and defrauding investors in several real estate projects.
The Party Central Committee said the Politburo has been assigned with directing relevant agencies to implement procedures as prescribed.
Following the Party Central Committee's meeting, Secretary-General of the National Assembly Office Bui Van Cuong on Wednesday afternoon also announced that the parliament will be holding an extraordinary session on Thursday morning in Hanoi to review and decide on personnel matters under its authority.

 (Latest Update March 21, 2024)