Vietnam’s Trong will step up anti-corruption campaign

Subject

The presidency following Tran Dai Quang's death.

Significance

The 200-person central committee of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) said last week it had unanimously proposed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to be state president in succession to Tran Dai Quang, who died last month after a long illness. Since 2017, Vietnam’s anti-corruption drive has targeted various party, state and military institutions.

Impacts

• The CPV will debate whether the party general secretary should customarily hold the state presidency, as in China and Laos.
• Diplomatic protocol may be easier with the same person as party chief and president.
• Dinh The Huynh could be replaced on the politburo.