“Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam is seeking to combine his party role with the state presidency, officials said, in a move that would align Vietnam’s political structure more closely to China’s where President Xi Jinping heads the party and state.”
“Lam, 68, bid for both top positions at a party meeting in December, seeking initial party approval ahead of the congress, three people briefed by the delegates and another three officials familiar with the matter told Reuters.”
“Should Lam succeed, the military, a powerful faction within the party, would give up the presidency in exchange for maintaining a broad autonomy over the promotion of its senior officers, two sources said.”
“One official said military leaders are negotiating ‘safeguards’ to limit Lam’s authority. The defence ministry was not immediately available for comment.”