Vietnam Elects Military Leader Luong Cuong as President

Vietnam’s parliament elected army general Luong Cuong as the new state president, marking a significant move to restore stability after a period of political upheaval. The 67-year-old Cuong succeeds To Lam, who briefly held the presidency before assuming the more powerful role of party chief following the death of general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in July.

Election Overview

• Vietnam’s parliament elected army general Luong Cuong as the new state president on Monday, with unanimous support from all 440 deputies present.
• The election aims to bring stability after a period of political upheaval marked by several high-level departures and reshuffles.
• Cuong, aged 67, succeeds To Lam, who was appointed president in May and later became party chief following the death of general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in July.

Who is Luong Cuong?

• Birthdate : August 15, 1957.
• Birthplace : Phu Tho province, Vietnam.
• Cuong is a prominent military leader with a long-standing career in both the military and the Communist Party.

Education and Military Career

• Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Party building and State governance.
• Trained in advanced political theory.
• Joined the army in 1975, quickly rising through the ranks.
• Achieved the rank of Major General by 2006.
• Served as Chief of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People’s Army.

Political Career

• Key figure in the Party Central Committee, serving in its 11th, 12th, and 13th tenures.
• Became a member of the Politburo by 2021.
• Appointed a standing member of the Secretariat in 2024, further solidifying his leadership role in Vietnam’s political structure.

Significance of His Election

• Cuong’s election is seen as a widely expected move aimed at stabilizing the political landscape of Vietnam.
• His leadership comes after a challenging period for the Communist-run, one-party state, which saw several reshuffles and transitions in its top leadership.

Leadership Legacy

• Cuong’s background in both the military and governance places him in a strong position to lead the country through its next phase of political stability and growth.