Vietnam parliament approves speaker's resignation, state media says

Tourists walk past Vietnam's National Assembly (Parliament) building in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 16, 2016. Kham/File Photo

HANOI - Vietnam's legislature on Thursday approved the resignation of National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, state media reported, the latest top official to step down amid an intensifying anti-graft crackdown by the ruling Communist Party.

Hue's departure, which had already been announced last week by the party's central committee, leaves Vietnam with no permanent holders for two of its four top leadership positions, after president Vo Van Thuong quit in March, raising questions about the country's political stability.

Both Hue, 67, and Thuong, 53, were publicly accused of unspecified violations and shortcomings, after corruption cases entangled people close to them, or under their supervision.

The resignations have been linked to a wide-ranging "blazing furnace" anti-bribery campaign, which was launched in 2016 by the general secretary of the party, Nguyen Phu Trong.

The crackdown has intensified over the past two years, as the party moves closer to its five-yearly Congress and a reshuffle of its top positions in 2026.

Hue had been touted as a possible candidate for the party's general secretary position, Vietnam's most powerful job. As head of parliament, he was one of the four "pillars" of the country, together with the party chief, president and prime minister.

The National Assembly is set to hold a regular, month-long meeting from May 20, when it could appoint a new president and chair of the parliament.

Source: Reuters