Vietnam President Phuc resigns amid ministers’ corruption scandal | Politics News

Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s resignation has been anticipated since the dismissal of two deputy prime ministers in January.

Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has submitted his resignation after the ruling Communist Party found him responsible for violations and wrongdoing of numerous officials under him, the country’s official news agency has said.

Phuc, 68, has held the largely ceremonial position for less than two years. It was not immediately clear who would replace him.

“Fully being aware of his responsibilities before the party and people, he submitted an application to resign from his assigned positions, quit his job and retire,” the Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing the party’s powerful Central Committee.

Phuc’s resignation follows the dismissal of two deputy prime ministers this month in an anti-corruption purge that has led to the arrest of dozens of officials.

Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam’s dismissal comes at a time when the Communist-ruled country is intensifying its fight against corruption, despite concerns the campaign is paralysing routine transactions as officials fear being entangled in inquiries.

Last month, the party disciplined Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son over the alleged involvement of several ministry officials and diplomats in the scandal over repatriation flights.

To become effective, Phuc’s resignation requires approval from the National Assembly. On Monday, Reuters news agency reported the legislature would hold a rare extraordinary meeting this week.

Phuc was prime minister between 2016 and 2021, before assuming his role as president.

Vietnam has no paramount ruler and is officially led by four “pillars”: the powerful party’s secretary, the president, the prime minister and the chair of the parliament.