President To Lam of Vietnam, renowned for spearheading an extensive anticorruption initiative, has been announced as the country’s next Communist Party General Secretary, according to a statement from the government’s Politburo on Saturday. This prestigious position is the pinnacle of Vietnam’s political framework, characterized by collective leadership.
Mr. Lam was temporarily appointed to this role in July following the passing of Nguyen Phu Trong, who had held the General Secretary position since 2011. This new appointment presents Mr. Lam with the opportunity to solidify his influence within the party ahead of the pivotal congress scheduled for 2026, where Vietnam will select its top leadership for the next five years.
“He might be the starting horse in the race for 2026, but he has to go through a particular process,” stated Carl Thayer, a prominent Vietnam expert and emeritus professor of politics at the University of New South Wales in Canberra, Australia. He further emphasized, “There is a lot of space in there for people to oppose him.”
Mr. Lam’s ascent through the party hierarchy has been notably swift. He was appointed president in May after previously serving as the Minister of Public Security. In that capacity, he was instrumental in advancing Mr. Trong’s anticorruption campaign, famously dubbed the “blazing furnace,” which aimed to tackle Vietnam’s widespread corruption. This initiative resulted in numerous officials facing imprisonment and prompted many others to resign from their positions.
As president, Mr. Lam has committed to continuing this vigorous anticorruption drive, despite growing concerns among business leaders and international investors. Many have voiced that the campaign has inadvertently caused significant delays in new project approvals, leading to a chilling effect on the overall economy.
