The 14th Central Executive Committee convened its first conference on the morning of 23/1 to elect the new Politburo, general secretary, and Secretariat. This meeting follows the conclusion of the 14th Party Congress, which on the afternoon of 22/1, announced the schedule for this crucial session and the election of 200 new Central Committee members.

In accordance with Decision 190, issued on 10/10/2024, concerning election regulations within the Party, the 14th Central Executive Committee will first elect the new Politburo. Subsequently, the Central Committee will elect the general secretary from among these newly chosen Politburo members.

The Presidium will present the requirements, standards, and personnel nominations prepared by the previous Central Committee. This information, along with input from the new Politburo and nomination results from the Congress, will be provided for the Conference's reference. Following this, the Central Committee will hold group discussions, leading to self-nomination and formal nominations. The Presidium will then compile the final list, submit it for a vote of approval by the Conference, conduct the ballot, and announce the results.

Candidates for general secretary must meet fundamental criteria: possess high prestige, serve as the leadership core and center of unity for the entire Party and nation; demonstrate sharp theoretical thinking, comprehensive knowledge, and remain "calm and discerning in the face of difficult, complex issues related to the Party's, nation's, and people's destiny". They must have served as a provincial or city secretary, or a head of a central committee, ministry, or sector, and have been a Politburo member for one full term or more. Exceptional cases are determined by the Central Executive Committee.

General Secretary To Lam at the 14th Party Congress. *Photo: Giang Huy*

On the afternoon of 22/1, the 14th Party Congress elected 200 new Central Committee members, comprising 180 official members and 20 alternate members. General Secretary To Lam, along with nine members of the 13th Politburo, were re-elected as members of the 14th Central Executive Committee for the 2026-2031 term. This marks General Secretary To Lam's fourth consecutive term on the Central Committee, serving from the 11th to the 14th term.

The nine other 13th Politburo members re-elected to the 14th Central Executive Committee include: National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man; Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu; President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Bui Thi Minh Hoai; Head of the Central Organization Commission Le Minh Hung; General, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang; General, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang; Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc; General, Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army Nguyen Trong Nghia; and Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien.

Nine members of the 13th Secretariat were also re-elected to the 14th Central Executive Committee (including Politburo members assigned by the Politburo): General Secretary To Lam; Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu; President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Bui Thi Minh Hoai; Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Trinh Van Quyet; Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung; Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang; General, Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army Nguyen Trong Nghia; and Permanent Deputy Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission Le Minh Tri.

Vu Tuan