Hanoi, Vietnam AP —Vietnam elected Luong Cuong, a military general, as its new president on Monday, the fourth official to fill the largely ceremonial role in 18 months. The role of the general secretary is the most powerful position in Vietnam while the presidency is mostly ceremonial and involves meeting foreign dignitaries. Vietnam's Luong Cuong takes his oath as Vietnam's President during the autumn opening session at the National Assembly in Hanoi on October 21, 2024. When he became the new general secretary, he promised to maintain the anti-corruption fight. “The installation of Luong Cuong as president is yet another example of the expansion of Vietnam’s police state,” he said.

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Persons: Luong Cuong, Lam, ” Cuong, Nguyen Phu Trong, Trong, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Thuong, Vuong Dinh, Dang Anh, Cuong, Nguyen Khac Giang, – Yusof, Luong, ”, Critics, Ben Swanton Organizations: Vietnam AP, National Assembly, Communist Party, Getty, Vietnam Studies, Institute, Communist Party Congress Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam, Vuong, AFP, Lam