Thu Sep 19 07:27:40 UTC 2024: ## Vietnam’s Power Struggle: Top Cop’s Grip Tightens, October Vote to Gauge His Control

**HANOI** – Vietnam’s political landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift as former Public Security Minister To Lam consolidates his power, raising concerns about the future of the country’s four-pillar system of governance.

Lam, who rose to prominence through ruthless anti-corruption campaigns under late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, has now secured the top two positions of party chief and state president. This unprecedented concentration of power has sparked talk of a “palace coup” and raised questions about his commitment to the traditional system designed to prevent one-man rule.

“Unlike Trong, who was deeply concerned with socialist ethics and personal morality, Lam’s focus has been more on regime stability and personal power,” writes David Hutt, a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies.

Lam’s ascent has been marked by a purge of rivals, including the removal of key figures from the Politburo and the appointment of his loyalists to key positions. While he has pledged to continue the anti-corruption campaign, critics question the lack of moral rectitude that defined Trong’s approach, suggesting a shift towards fear-based control.

The upcoming October vote for a new state president will be a crucial test of Lam’s strength. While he has the option of relinquishing the largely ceremonial role, experts believe he may use it as a strategic concession to appease other factions within the Communist Party.

“Ceding the presidency to the military could serve as a clever way for Lam to appease this powerful institution,” Hutt suggests, adding that the military, along with the Central Inspection Commission and the Prime Minister, could pose challenges to his dominance.

The dynamics of this power struggle will be closely watched as Vietnam navigates the complex political landscape under Lam’s leadership. His success in consolidating control and maintaining the country’s unique four-pillar system will be determined in the coming months, with the October vote serving as a key indicator of his ultimate power.

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