Strategic level staff: Don't just put up a list and pass it.

Speaking at the conclusion of the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the development of strategic-level personnel planning for the 2021-2026 term, General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong requested to resolutely not include in the planning those who show signs of political and ideological degradation, have deviant views, cause internal disunity, are corrupt and negative, especially political opportunists.

General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong used the image of “eels and loach” to refer to political opportunists. Opportunists are like “eels and loachs”, they are very skillful in twisting and turning, and if they choose wrongly, it will be very dangerous. Therefore, we must be “smart and pure”, the General Secretary and President pointed out.

The statement of General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong has brought great hope to cadres, party members and the masses for the future team of high-ranking leaders. The statement of the country's highest leader not only demonstrates the Party's strategic determination for cadre work in the current situation, but also shows the Central Committee's proactiveness and positivity in cadre work, especially strategic-level cadres when the 12th tenure has only gone halfway.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuc, former Director of the Institute of Party History - Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (Photo: Binh Ta)

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuc, former Director of the Institute of Party History - Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, expressed his delight at the Party's strategic determination in personnel work, especially strategic-level personnel work and personnel for the new Central Committee. This is a proactive and positive sign, as soon as the 12th term has ended, personnel work has been raised and closely directed by the highest leadership.

However, according to Professor Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuc, it is necessary to emphasize more clearly the general standards for management cadres of the entire Party at all levels, especially strategic cadres, those who play a very important role in deciding the development direction of the country, planning policies, platforms, laws, etc. Strategic cadres must possess all outstanding qualities and characteristics.

Mr. Phuc said that the requirements clearly stated by the General Secretary raise the issue of strategic-level cadres not only having the intelligence and capacity to carry out tasks at a high level; but also the level of organization, management, and practical organization of strategic-level cadres is also very high; then political prestige is associated with the responsibility of setting an example of the 8th Central Conference, ethics, and lifestyle must be exemplary... Finding people who are truly prestigious role models in the Party and among the people like that to include in the planning of strategic-level cadres is convincing.

In particular, according to the former Director of the Institute of Party History, there is a very important criterion for strategic-level cadres: their relationship with the people. Strategic-level cadres must be people who understand the people, sympathize with the people, and truly work for the people, not indifferent cadres.

Gathering such standards, according to Mr. Phuc, if we can select cadres who satisfy these standards to be included in the development of strategic-level cadres, our Party will certainly choose a worthy team to continue to bring the country's innovation and development process to progress faster and further.

The establishment of the Steering Committee for the development of strategic-level cadre planning for the 2021-2026 term by the Central Committee for the first time demonstrates the spirit and responsibility of the highest leadership body for strategic-level cadre planning, preparing important steps to have a team of cadres with both virtue and talent for the 13th National Party Congress.

According to Professor Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuc, it is not that our Party did not do cadre planning before. In fact, the previous planning work was mainly done by the Central Organizing Committee, with consultation and direction from the General Secretary and the Standing Secretariat. However, the establishment of a Steering Committee on cadre planning is a very new work, it clearly demonstrates the determination and responsibility of the highest leadership body for the central level cadre work for the new term.

In particular, according to Mr. Phuc, it has shown a change in the Party's perception, which is the unification of standards for strategic-level cadres, so that the lower levels can recommend them. However, Mr. Phuc said that it is necessary to learn from the experience of the 11th term. When preparing personnel for the 12th Congress, our Party also affirmed its viewpoint: "Do not let into the Central Committee those who show signs of political opportunism, corruption, group interests, family interests...". But after the 12th Congress, we still see such people entering the apparatus both at the Central and local levels.

Therefore, although the criteria have been agreed upon, in order to prevent political opportunists from entering the Central Committee, “the Planning Steering Committee must carefully consider each case, need the assistance of the Central Organizing Committee, and even weigh each specific case to make an accurate selection. If we just rush to put up a list and pass it, I believe it will not be rigorous,” Mr. Phuc expressed.

With the Steering Committee for Strategic Personnel Planning established under the direct leadership of General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, public opinion has every reason to hope that the Central Committee will not choose the wrong person when all procedures are carried out strictly and methodically. Those selected will be worthy in both intelligence and character./.