Luong Cuong Elected President of Vietnam

Vietnam's National Assembly elected Luong Cuong, a 67-year-old military general and Politburo member, as the new president, marking the fourth individual to occupy this largely ceremonial role in just 18 months. Cuong replaces To Lam, who stepped down from the presidency to focus on his position as the general secretary of the Communist Party following the death of Nguyen Phu Trong. In his inaugural speech, Cuong emphasized his commitment to strengthening national defense and pursuing a multilateral foreign policy, aiming to stabilize the political landscape after a period of turmoil and leadership changes. His appointment is seen as a move to restore balance between military and security factions within the government. Analysts suggest that Lam's relinquishing of the presidency reflects a power-sharing strategy within the Communist Party. Cuong's election comes during a time of increased scrutiny and a nationwide anti-corruption campaign initiated by his predecessors, which has affected decision-making processes in the country.