Phnom Penh/Panjab Post
Vietnamese President To Lam has been officially designated as the new General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, following the death of his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong, on July 19.
To Lam’s appointment marks him as the country’s most influential political figure. The decision was confirmed by state media on Saturday, though it remains uncertain whether Lam will continue to serve as President concurrently.
Nguyen Phu Trong, who held the position of General Secretary since 2011 and was re-elected for a third term in 2021, was a formidable figure in Vietnamese politics. His tenure was marked by a stringent anti-corruption campaign that significantly impacted the party.
Before his promotion to president in May, To Lam had a notable career spanning over 40 years in the Ministry of Public Security, including a tenure as minister beginning in 2016. His leadership in the anti-corruption drive was pivotal, especially following the resignation of his predecessor, who stepped down amid the campaign’s scrutiny.