Vietnam’s president steps down over COVID-19 response

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc stepped down on Tuesday, taking responsibility for alleged violations committed by his ministers with regard to COVID-19 response management.

The ministers were found to have “committed violations in connection with COVID-19 test kits and repatriation flights,” according to the Vietnam News website.

Phuc stepped down after the 13th-tenure Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam decided Tuesday “to relieve Nguyen Xuan Phuc of all duties, including the presidency, Politburo, and Party Central Committee membership, and chairman of the National Defense and Security Council for the 2021-26 term.”

Acknowledging that Phuc made “many efforts in leading the national COVID-19 response and achieved important accomplishments,” the party said: “The Central Committee noted that during his term, Phuc must bear the ‘political responsibility of the leader’ as many officials, including two deputy prime ministers and three ministers, had committed violations and shortcomings, causing very serious consequences.”

“Fully aware of his responsibilities before the party and people, Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuc has submitted an application to resign from his assigned positions, and retire,” the party said.