Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigns as scandal engulfs top leaders
- Phuc is alleged to have been responsible for ‘violations, wrongdoing’ by junior officials
- His resignation comes ahead of a national assembly meeting that could signal a possible government reshuffle
Phuc, 68, a former prime minister who held the largely ceremonial position for less than two years, is alleged to have been responsible for “violations, wrongdoing” by junior officials, Vietnam News Agency said in a statement, without providing further details.
“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, citing the party’s powerful Central Committee.
It was not immediately clear who would replace Phuc.
His resignation came ahead of an extraordinary meeting by the National Assembly on Wednesday seemingly called to sign off on his exit from office and rubber stamp a reshuffle by the Central Committee, which may see the promotion of several security officials.
There had been widespread speculation over an imminent resignation by Phuc following the dismissals in early January of two deputy prime ministers, who were working under him when he led the government.