By excluding Vo Van Thuong from the role of receiving national guests during the US President’s visit, it once again showed that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is above the law.
It’s just that it hasn’t been announced publicly, his current power is no different from that of a king.
When Trong took the position of the party’s chief 12 years ago, the General Secretary position did not have as much power as it does today. Before Nong Duc Manh’s time, the General Secretary position was the most powerful position. However, after one term as Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung dominated the position of General Secretary.
Regaining power for the General Secretary position is a process. It took up to 5 years, or a full term, for Nguyen Phu Trong to regain absolute power for this position. Perhaps, from now on, the General Secretary’s post will still be the most powerful of the four pillars. If you grasp this position, your power is obviously unchallenged.
Nguyen Phu Trong’s political power really gained, around the end of 2015. During this period, he campaigned domestically and internationally for his power.
From being an underdog at the beginning of the term, by the end of the 2011-2016 term, he created for himself a “special” case, for people over the age of 65 to sit in the four pillars. The funny thing is, right at the 12th party National Congress in 2016, Nguyen Tan Dung was younger than Nguyen Phu Trong but he had to retire because he was too old, while Trong was “trusted” to stay. That is a form of trampling on the Party’s laws. The law is me, I am the law. Trong knows how to make laws to apply only to himself. That’s the top.
Currently, Trong has served 3 terms as General Secretary, which is the same age as his Uncle Ho when he died. With a very weak health condition, receiving international guests must have bodyguards behind him, ready to support him, which is a signal that Nguyen Phu Trong may have to leave his post in the next term. It cannot be ruled out that he will die before the 14th National Congress, which will take place in early 2026.
During his 12 years as General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong amassed power for himself. Some people jokingly say that after 12 years of escrow, he has accumulated a lot of power, but he is putting that great power on his “legs“. With these legs, it will be difficult for him to stay until the end of his third term.
In politics, especially the political elite of the Communist Party of Vietnam, an ally can become an enemy in an instant. Most of the people who are trying to please Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong today either want to rely on him, take advantage of his benefits, or are looking at his chair.
As an opponent, the Prime Minister wants the position of General Secretary, which is understandable. But as disciples of the General like Vuong Dinh Hue and Vo Van Thuong, it would be hard to believe if they said they did not want to take this position. Having reached the four pillars, everyone has the ambition to occupy the highest post.
Mr. Vo Van Thuong’s strength is clearly weaker, it is difficult for Mr. Thuong to compete with Pham Minh Chinh and Vuong Dinh Hue. Therefore, it can be said that the race for the General Secretary position for the next term is a two-horse race, not a three-horse race.
If it were a “duel“, it would be difficult for Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue to win against Mr. Pham Minh Chinh. However, Mr. Hue is Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong’s adoption, so his chances are considered higher. Of the two characters, Vuong Dinh Hue and Pham Minh Chinh, if anyone wins the position of General Secretary, that person will master the game. Because Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong has gathered power in the current position of General Secretary, he has packed too much power into it. Although he does not have good actual combat ability, if Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue holds the position of General Secretary, he will be much superior to his opponent. Therefore, it is promised that the battle for the position of General Secretary in the coming years will be much fiercer.
Hoang Anh – Thoibao.de
