Xuan will take over as head of state until the National Assembly holds its next elections. Photo: GIA HAN.
Vice President of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan was appointed as the country’s interim president on Wednesday after the National Assembly approved the removal of Nguyen Xuan Phuc. who resigned after several corruption scandals.
At an extraordinary session, the President of Parliament Vuong Dinh Hue signed an announcement on behalf of the Legislature’s Standing Committee to make the appointment official.
Appointment will be made in accordance with what is stated in the 2013 Constitution of Vietnam when it so requires in the absence of the President, the Vice-President assumes his duties and powers.
With that in mind, Xuan, who has served as Vietnam’s vice president since April 2021, will take over as head of state until the National Assembly holds its next elections.
The former president decided to step down on Tuesday after several corruption scandals involving two deputy prime ministers and three ministers.
Officials are accused of selling Covid-19 test kits at inflated prices and receiving bribes as part of the repatriation flight schedule operated during the pandemic.
For its part, the Communist Party pointed out that while Phuc made mistakes with “severe consequences,” he also played a fundamental role as a leader in confronting the pandemic when he achieved positive results.
(Adopted from Telesur)