Russia Reports Explosion at Feodosia Port After Ukraine Attack
BloombergDEC 25 2023
Vietnam's President Resigns
Image copyright: Antonio Masiello/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The Vietnamese government has clear rules regarding office holders' conduct, which Thuong decided to violate and thus forced him to relinquish all official duties. Thuang's corrupt actions have resulted in the public's distrust of their leaders, which is why the Central Committee had to step in and remove him from his position of influence.
Narrative B
Despite the country's recent economic success — thanks to a manufacturing boom for companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Lululemon — Vietnam is a tightly controlled communist dictatorship. The removal of Pres. Thuong, as was the case for his predecessor, simply means the ruling party's major power players wanted him gone.