Viet succession politics takes unexpected turn

Party General Secretary may have to stay for an unprecedented third term despite age and poor health

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When the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) convenes this week for its 13th National Congress, it will have to decide on a crucial matter of leadership succession. But things have taken an unexpected turn, complicating matters on who calls the shots in Vietnam for the next five years.

Ahead of the congress, the 15th Plenum of the Central Committee of the CPV met in mid-January to come up with a new leadership line-up.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 25, 2021, with the headline Viet succession politics takes unexpected turn. Subscribe