Vietnam\u2019s ruling Communist Party approved plans to nearly halve the number of provinces, a crucial step toward enabling top leader To Lam, who faces a party congress in January, to stay in power.<\/p>\n
The reduction in the number of provinces to 34 from 63 was approved on Monday by the Communist Party\u2019s central committee. The same day, the Politburo, the party\u2019s highest decision-making body, issued a directive for the appointment of new provincial leaders under the guidance of a close Lam ally. <\/p>\n
Lam, who became secretary general of the Communist Party in August last year, faces a key hurdle in maintaining his position in Vietnam\u2019s one-party state \u2013 he will surpass the age limit to remain in office.<\/p>\n
To secure a full term, the party must either grant him an exemption or amend its charter, both of which can only be decided by a majority of delegates at the National Congress.<\/p>\n
Rewriting the map of provinces will also serve to significantly reduce the number of delegates at the upcoming congress, from 1,500 previously, strengthening Lam\u2019s ability to control the outcomes.<\/p>\n
Since becoming leader, Lam has made several moves to consolidate power and shake up governance, an overhaul he says will make the economy more efficient. <\/p>\n
Five of 21 state ministries were eliminated and some state and party offices and institutions were shuttered. The consolidation of provinces will be accompanied by a downsizing of lower level administrative divisions. <\/p>\n
To bolster his high-level support, Lam has filled the ranks of the 18-member Politburo with allies from his long career as a top police official and from his native Hung Yen province, an hour south of the capital Hanoi.<\/p>\n
Lam\u2019s moves to consolidate power also come at a time when Vietnam\u2019s export reliant economy faces an ever more difficult balancing act between China and the U.S.<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump\u2019s administration has threatened a 46% tariff on Vietnam\u2019s exports, which would cause substantial pain for industries such as electronics and garment manufacturing that employ millions. <\/p>\n
The U.S. says Vietnam has become a conduit for Chinese exporters seeking to avoid U.S. tariffs. <\/p>\n
Edited by Stephen Wright and Taejun Kang.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n
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