Vietnam to name new president this week

Vietnam will name a new president later this week, officials said Tuesday, after the dramatic resignation of Nguyen Xuan Phuc as part of an anti-corruption drive.

Vo Van Thuong, 52, is expected to be confirmed at an extraordinary meeting of the country’s national assembly on Thursday, official political and government sources told AFP on condition of anonymity.

His expected appointment comes during a period of significant political upheaval in Vietnam, where the all-powerful Communist Party’s anti-graft purge and factional fighting have seen several ministers fired.

Authoritarian Vietnam is run by the party, which is officially led by the general secretary, president and prime minister.