Vietnam's President Resigns
2023-01-18
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1The President of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned Tuesday as an anti-corruption campaign spreads in the national government.
2The state-controlled Vietnam News agency reported the resignation took place during a meeting of the ruling Communist Party Central Committee.
3The agency said the meeting was held "to consider and give opinions on Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuc's wish to stop holding positions, quit work and retire."
4The language of the announcement suggested that he was forced to resign.
5Phuc also resigned from membership in the Politburo, the executive committee of the Central Committee and as chairman of the National Defense and Security Council.
6The 68-year-old Phuc started as a local politician in 1979.
7 He joined national government service in 2006.
8He became part of the powerful Politburo in 2011.
9Phuc served as prime minister from 2016 to 2021.
10The National Assembly then elected him president.
11As prime minister, Phuc led Vietnam as it increased links to the international economic system.
12The country reported seven percent economic growth until the COVID-19 pandemic.
13In 2020, Vietnam was one of the few countries to report any economic growth.
14Vietnam established lockdown measures early in the pandemic and saw low numbers of infections during the first year.
15But, in 2021, more communicable versions of the virus began spreading around the world.
16By the middle of the year, COVID cases in the country were quickly rising.
17The most powerful position is considered to be the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party.
18Nguyen Phu Trong holds that position. In 2021, he was appointed to a third term.
19He is known for his campaign against corruption.
20During his second term, he targeted two former cabinet ministers and Hanoi's former mayor.
21State media released an official statement praising Phuc for his efforts to fight COVID-19 as prime minister.
22But, the statement said, as the country's top executive, he was responsible for wrongdoing involving people under him.
23That included two deputy prime ministers and three other ministers.
24State media noted that the two deputy prime ministers have resigned, and several other officials face criminal charges.
25In some of the cases, the government is investigating wrongdoing linked to COVID-19 control measures.
26I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1The President of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned Tuesday as an anti-corruption campaign spreads in the national government. 2The state-controlled Vietnam News agency reported the resignation took place during a meeting of the ruling Communist Party Central Committee. The agency said the meeting was held "to consider and give opinions on Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuc's wish to stop holding positions, quit work and retire." The language of the announcement suggested that he was forced to resign. 3Phuc also resigned from membership in the Politburo, the executive committee of the Central Committee and as chairman of the National Defense and Security Council. 4The 68-year-old Phuc started as a local politician in 1979. He joined national government service in 2006. He became part of the powerful Politburo in 2011. Phuc served as prime minister from 2016 to 2021. The National Assembly then elected him president. 5As prime minister, Phuc led Vietnam as it increased links to the international economic system. The country reported seven percent economic growth until the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Vietnam was one of the few countries to report any economic growth. 6Vietnam established lockdown measures early in the pandemic and saw low numbers of infections during the first year. But, in 2021, more communicable versions of the virus began spreading around the world. By the middle of the year, COVID cases in the country were quickly rising. 7The most powerful position is considered to be the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party. Nguyen Phu Trong holds that position. In 2021, he was appointed to a third term. He is known for his campaign against corruption. During his second term, he targeted two former cabinet ministers and Hanoi's former mayor. 8State media released an official statement praising Phuc for his efforts to fight COVID-19 as prime minister. But, the statement said, as the country's top executive, he was responsible for wrongdoing involving people under him. That included two deputy prime ministers and three other ministers. 9State media noted that the two deputy prime ministers have resigned, and several other officials face criminal charges. In some of the cases, the government is investigating wrongdoing linked to COVID-19 control measures. 10I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 11Grant Peck reported this story for The Associated Press. Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. 12__________________________________________________________________ 13Words in This Story 14quit -v. to give up employment 15executive -n. belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as diplomatic representation, superintendence of the execution of the laws, and appointment of officials and that usually has some power over legislation (as through veto) 16lockdown -n. an emergency measure or condition in which people are temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a restricted area or building (such as a school) during a threat of danger 17deputy -n. a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent 18___________________________________________________________________ 19We want to hear from you. 20We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 21Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.