General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s consecutive absence from recent important meetings related to the preparation of the Human Resources Plan of the 14th National Congress of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), has become understandable.
The last time Trong appeared in public on the afternoon of June 20, during a meeting and working session with Russian President Putin. Images from the state-controlled media show that he is in a very weak condition, unable to stand up or walk on his own. Internal sources said that Trong is being treated actively by doctors at Military Hospital 108 in Hanoi.
Regarding the race to be the next party chief to replace Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, it is said that there is a high possibility that he will retire during the 10th Plenum of the Central Committee scheduled in October. According to observers, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and State President To Lam are the two leading candidates for this position.
According to knowledgeable people, To Lam and PM Chinh are often suspicious of each other. However, internal sources confirmed that both are juniors of former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. But the race for this most powerful seat has no tolerance.
PM Chinh is said to be in an “inferior” position compared to State President To Lam, for the reason that the latter and the Ministry of Public Security clearly understand the PM’s violations in his relationship with convicted AIC Company’s Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, who is wanted by the Vietnamese government.
However, Nhan is a person who has close relationships with many high-ranking officials, including army generals. Because she is involved in many contracts to buy and sell weapons, replacing Russian weapons.
This is why the possibility of Vietnam capturing her and returning her to Hanoi to face trial is almost impossible.
However, PM Chinh was originally from General Department 5 – General Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Public Security. He is also a clever politician, whose power is unpredictable. Chinh is a man with many tricks, people call him “a chameleon that changes color.” That is why it is difficult for political opponents or allies to know clearly what plans or plots Chinh is planning?
However, there are also opinions that cannot ignore the role of General Luong Cuong – Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, as a valuable candidate for the party chief. Cuong may suddenly rise to become General Secretary at the upcoming 14th National Congress, bypassing both candidates Lam and Chinh.
On July 10, state media simultaneously reported that PM Chinh signed Decision No. 613/QD-TTg. Accordingly, the government leader “assigned” Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang, on behalf of the Government, to work with the localities of Hung Yen and Da Nang, on the situation of production and business, construction investment and export. imported.
Specifically, Decision No. 613/QD-TTg clearly states that Minister Quang is responsible for working on the situation and solutions to promote production and business, public investment, infrastructure construction, port import and export, resolve difficulties in social housing, real estate market, discipline, administrative discipline… and other issues emerging in the area.
Public opinion asks where did the above direction of PM Chinh come from? From State President Lam’s suggestion, or did the PM himself proactively propose it?
According to lawyer Dang Dinh Manh, Decision No. 613/QD-TTg signed by the PM shows that Minister Quang is assigned the role of the government leader, and the roles of ministers, for the two provinces. And that also shows the absolute dominant position of the Ministry of Public Security in the current period.
The PM’s initial application of a special procedure is just an initial example to clearly affirm the “super ministry” role of the Ministry of Public Security. This will be the premise, the beginning of the policy of turning the current Ministry of Public Security, under State President To Lam, into a “super ministry.” Moving forward, in a short time, this “super ministry” can completely control and neutralize the entire current political power system, including the Politburo, the Secretariat, and even the Central Committee./.
Tra My – Thoibao.de
