Vote of confidence for President and Prime Minister since 2013

During the working session on the morning of November 21, with 474/478 total delegates present voting in favor (95.18%), the National Assembly passed a Resolution on taking a vote of confidence and vote of no confidence for people holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly or People's Council.

National Assembly delegates pressed the button to pass the Resolution.
(Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

With the approval of this important document, from February 1, 2013, a new method to improve the effectiveness of the National Assembly and People's Councils' supervision of those holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly and People's Councils will be introduced; helping these people to recognize their level of trust so that they can take measures to strive, practice, and improve their responsibilities and performance.

The vote of confidence and the vote of no confidence aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the National Assembly and People's Council's supervisory activities, helping those who are voted on to see their level of trust in order to strive, practice, and improve the quality and efficiency of their activities; as a basis for competent agencies and organizations to consider, evaluate, arrange, and use cadres. The National Assembly and People's Councils organize annual votes of confidence from the second year of their term; for the 2011-2016 term, the first vote of no confidence was conducted at the first session of 2013.

The basis for assessing the level of trust in people holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly or People's Council includes: performance of duties and powers; political qualities, ethics, and lifestyle.

According to the resolution, the National Assembly will take a vote of confidence and vote of no confidence for the following positions: President, Vice President; Chairman of the National Assembly, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Chairman of the National Council, Chairmen of the National Assembly Committees, other members of the National Assembly Standing Committee; Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, other members of the Government; Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy, State Auditor General.

The People's Council takes a vote of confidence and votes of confidence on the people holding the following positions: Chairman of the People's Council, Vice Chairman of the People's Council, Standing Member of the People's Council, Head of the People's Council Committee; Chairman of the People's Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee, and other members of the People's Committee.

Notably, those who are rated as “low confidence” by more than half of the total number of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council deputies can resign. Those who are rated as “low confidence” by more than two-thirds of the total number of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council deputies, or for two consecutive years, are rated as “low confidence” by more than half of the total number of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council deputies, will be submitted to the National Assembly or People’s Council for a vote of confidence by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly or People’s Council.

If more than half of the total number of National Assembly deputies or People's Council deputies vote "no confidence", the competent agency or person that introduced that person to be elected or approved by the National Assembly or People's Council shall be responsible for submitting to the National Assembly or People's Council for consideration and decision on the dismissal, removal or approval of the dismissal or removal of the person who is not trusted by the National Assembly or People's Council.

Late in the morning, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the draft Law on Natural Disaster Prevention, Avoidance and Mitigation. This was the content that the National Assembly deputies discussed in groups during the working day of November 8.

Opinions at the discussion session suggested that this Law should codify documents related to natural disaster prevention and control (Law on Dykes, Ordinance on Flood and Storm Prevention and Control; Ordinance on Exploitation and Protection of Irrigation Works; Ordinance on Exploitation and Protection of Hydrometeorological Works...) and not just codify the Ordinance on Flood and Storm Prevention and Control.

Many opinions suggest clearly defining the principle that "the State must have the primary responsibility in preventing and fighting natural disasters"; ensuring people's lives should be the top principle.

National Assembly deputies also proposed supplementing policies on handling and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters to mobilize resources for this work; at the same time, encouraging businesses and economic organizations to invest in disaster-affected areas; and ensuring timely warning information for offshore fishermen.

The delegate also suggested that the draft Law should stipulate that the armed forces are the core force in preventing, responding to and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters; clarify what is meant by "professional" and "semi-professional" forces to facilitate the mobilization and use of these forces and to move forward to having a main, professional and strong force.

The discussion also noted the opinions suggesting that the draft Law should stipulate more specifically, clarify and separate the state management responsibilities of ministries, ministerial-level agencies as well as People's Committees at all levels and the coordination mechanism between forces participating in natural disaster prevention and control; at the same time, specifically determine the responsibilities as well as handle violations of heads of agencies on natural disaster prevention and control./.

According to (TTXVN)-LT