Politics General Luong Cuong new President of Vietnam

General Luong Cuong has been sworn in as the new president of Vietnam. Authoritarian Vietnam is normally known for its political stability. However, following several corruption scandals, Luong Coung is now the fourth head of state in two years.

The Vietnamese president has no major political powers. The rather representative office is only considered the third most important in the political hierarchy after that of party chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and head of government.

Criticized for human rights violations

General Luong Cuong joined the army in 1975 before becoming head of the political department of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) and a member of the Politburo, the most powerful decision-making body of the CPV, in 2016.

The country on the Mekong is repeatedly criticized for massive repression. Political opponents and activists are regularly arrested. Party leader To Lam is considered to be particularly strict in his dealings with the Vietnamese democracy movement.