Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Source : Kremlin
Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has resigned days after rumours began to circulate that he would be sacked as part of an anti-corruption drive.
The anti-corruption drive has already seen the removal of several ministers from office.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has been in power over the Communist Party, making his resignation an unusual move.
Only one other president has stepped down from the Communist Party in Vietnam, however that was due to health reasons.
Research fellow at the Vietnam Centre for Economic and Strategic Studies Nguyen Khac Giang said the resignation is unprecedented.
“The resignation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc is an unprecedented move in the history of the party.” He said.
Vietnamese News Agency (VNA) released information from the official statement of the Communist Party, which said Mr Phuc took responsibility for his wrongdoings.
“[Mr Phuc] took political responsibility as leader when several officials, including two deputy prime ministers and three ministers, committed violations and shortcomings, causing very serious consequences.” They said.
The VNA also released that Mr Phuc had “submitted his resignation from his assigned positions, quit his job and retired.”
Mr Phuc was ruled responsible for wrongdoing during his time as minister between 2016-2021, before his presidency.
ISEAS-Yusof Ishak institute in Singapore fellow, Le Hong Hiep, said the resignation may be an indicator of conflict in Vietnamese politics.
“It’s mainly related to corruption investigations but we cannot rule out the possibility that his political rivals also wanted to remove him from his position for political reasons.” Mr Hiep said.
The anti-corruption drive has sacked two deputy prime ministers in January with allegations regarding deals done as part of the country’s Covid response.
Pham Binh Minh was a minister of foreign affairs and Vu Duc Dam was in change of how Vietnam handled the pandemic.
At least 100 officials have been arrested in connection to these allegations.
In addition, thirty-seven people were arrested as part of an investigation into Vietnamese repatriation during the pandemic.
