(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 21, 2022 Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at a ceremony commemorating the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the United Nations in Hanoi's international convention centre. - Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has resigned, state media reported January 17, 2023. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)
Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has resigned, state media said Tuesday, after days of rumours he was about to be sacked amid a major anti-corruption drive that has seen several ministers fired.
Phuc has “submitted his resignation from his assigned positions, quit his job, and retired”, state news agency VNA said.
Phuc’s sudden departure is a highly unusual move in communist Vietnam, where political changes are normally carefully orchestrated with an emphasis on cautious stability.
His resignation follows the dismissal of two deputy prime ministers this month in an anti-corruption purge that has led to the arrest of dozens of officials.
He was prime minister between 2016 and 2021, before assuming his role as president.
Phuc “took political responsibility as leader when several officials, including two deputy prime ministers and three ministers committed violations and shortcomings, causing very serious consequences”, VNA said.
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