Corruption allegations

Vietnam’s President Thuong resigns

Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong resigned under pressure from his party.(Bild: AFP )

In the wake of allegations of corruption, Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong has resigned from office. This was announced on Wednesday after a special meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). This is the third time in just three years that the country on the Mekong has had a new head of state - an unusual situation in the one-party state, which is otherwise known for its political stability.

The CPV confirmed that Thuong (53) will not only lose his presidency, but also his position in the Politburo, the most powerful body of the Communist Party.

CPV: "Damaged reputation of the party, the state and his person"
According to reports, a corruption scandal from 2011 to 2014 is the background to the decision. At the time, Thuong was party secretary of Quang Ngai province. Details were not initially disclosed. However, the party announced: "Vo Van Thuong's violations and mistakes have led to a poor public opinion and damaged the reputation of the party, the state and his person."

Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong resigned under pressure from his party.(Bild: AFP )

Planned state visit postponed due to "domestic circumstances"
Rumors about Thuong's imminent resignation - which was in fact forced by the CPV - had been circulating for weeks. A few days ago, a state visit by the Dutch royal couple Willem-Alexander and Máxima planned for March 19-22 was also postponed due to "domestic circumstances", according to an official statement from The Hague.

Predecessor also had to leave due to corruption scandal
The politician only took over the presidency in March 2023 after his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc - who had been in office since April 2021 - was also removed from office due to his involvement in a corruption scandal. When he took office, Thuong was the country's youngest president since the reunification of Vietnam in 1975. He was also seen as a possible future candidate for the post of General Secretary of the CPV, which is considered the most powerful post in the country. Thuong's current deputy Vo Thi Anh Xuan is expected to become interim president.