Regular confidence votes will serve as a warning to those who have committed violations or shortcomings.

The Politburo has issued Regulation No. 96 on conducting confidence votes for leadership and management positions in the political system, replacing Regulation No. 262. To clarify the new points in Regulation 96, our reporter interviewed Associate Professor Dr. Le Van Cuong - Deputy Director of the Institute of Party Building, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Van Cuong - Deputy Director of the Institute of Party Building, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. Photo: Business and Law

PVHow do you assess the new points in Regulation 96 compared to Regulation 262, especially the provision that votes of confidence will be conducted periodically?

Mr. Le Van CuongRegulation 96 is a continuation, supplement, and development of Regulation 262. What is good in the regulation is inherited and improved; what is lacking or weak is supplemented in the new regulation.

Regarding the timeframe for conducting confidence votes, Regulation 262 previously stipulated that votes should be taken mid-term, usually in the third year. Regulation 96, however, states that this is a regular activity and should be conducted periodically, meaning every six months or a year, or even annually, rather than being a single mid-term vote. Some violations are long-standing, while others are temporary; waiting until the mid-term to conduct a vote would be inaccurate and inappropriate.

Therefore, one of the noteworthy new points is to consider the process of taking votes as a regular occurrence, as President Ho Chi Minh once said, criticism and self-criticism should be conducted as daily as washing one's face.

If this is done regularly, it will help to raise awareness of violations and shortcomings among cadres and Party members from the outset. If they are reminded and warned, it may not lead to major consequences or serious violations.

In other words, if we prevent, warn, and take preventative measures from the outset, it will not lead to consequences such as job losses, personnel losses, and loss of cadres, as well as damage to the Party's reputation and prestige.

PVRegulation 96 clearly states that in cases where more than 50% but less than 2/3 of the votes are in the "low confidence" category, the competent authority managing cadres shall remove them from the planning for higher positions; consider removing them from their current position, assigning them to other work, or allowing them to resign, or conduct a vote of confidence as prescribed. In cases where 2/3 or more of the votes are in the "low confidence" category, the competent authority managing cadres shall dismiss them from their current position and assign them to other (lower) work without waiting until the end of their term or appointment. How will this directly impact the improvement of the quality of work of cadres and Party members today, sir?

Mr. Le Van CuongThe new regulations are consistent and interconnected with Regulation 41 on the resignation and dismissal of officials and Announcement No. 20 on the assignment of duties to officials after disciplinary action.

Through the voting process, if someone receives low approval ratings, the competent authority will immediately consider their resignation or dismissal, without waiting until the middle or end of their term.

Such a regulation has a significant impact because, looking back at the old regulation, there was a loophole where a 50% confidence vote would lead to consideration of resignation or dismissal. However, throughout the entire period of conducting confidence votes in the National Assembly, including within the Party, no one has ever received that level. This means that the confidence vote was merely a channel for reference.

Regulation 96 has filled that loophole, meaning that the results of the confidence vote serve as the basis for further disciplinary measures. Only then can the regulation be effectively implemented, serving as a deterrent and warning to those exhibiting signs of moral decay or violating regulations.

PVAlso in Regulation 96, the criteria for a vote of confidence are based on the results of leadership and guidance in implementing the Party's policies on combating corruption and negative phenomena, adhering to the rules that Party members are not allowed to break, and setting an example and being exemplary in oneself and one's spouse and children in complying with the State's policies and laws. How do you assess the unique aspects of Regulation 96?

Mr. Le Van Cuong:A new point compared to the previous regulations is that the voting criteria are based on the results of leadership and direction in the fight against corruption and negative practices; and maintaining contact with the Party committee and the people in the place of residence. I strongly agree with the addition of this new point, because the people's supervision is very profound and accurate. Many cases have been the subject of public discussion for a long time, and only when the truth comes out do we see that public opinion is correct.

Furthermore, if a person entrusted with leadership and management responsibilities allows corruption and misconduct to occur within their agency or subordinates, it also reflects a lack of responsibility on the part of the head of the organization and a failure in management. Therefore, this factor must be included in the evaluation criteria.

Setting an example is essential. Regulation 37 on what Party members are not allowed to do clearly states that if children violate the rules, it is the family's responsibility, and the parents are jointly liable. In the General Secretary's recently published book on combating corruption and negative practices, there is an article from 50 years ago stating that leaders must be responsible; if they are not responsible, they are not leaders.

Another point to note is that taking a vote of confidence that only relies on one's own "cronies" is very problematic. Besides that, the transparency of information is crucial. For example, if Trinh Xuan Thanh had caused losses of thousands of billions of dong to the State, and that information had been made public for the people and the relevant organizations to know, he certainly wouldn't have been included in the list of officials being considered for promotion to higher positions in the local area.

Therefore, when implementing Regulation 96, there must be openness, transparency, and accurate information. Vague or general information often leads to subjective assessments and comments.

Effective implementation is crucial to ensure regulations come into effect promptly.

PVRegulation 96 expands the scope of confidence votes compared to previous regulations. Specifically, the scale has been expanded to include the entire political system, Party and State agencies, and the Fatherland Front and mass organizations from the central level down to the level with subordinate units. What are your comments on expanding the scope of cadres and Party members subject to confidence votes?

Mr. Le Van CuongI strongly agree with expanding this scope. This regulation is consistent and interconnected. The 13th Party Congress expanded the scope of building and rectifying the Party and the political system. The political system under the Party's leadership has three key components: the Party, the State, and the Front and mass organizations. Therefore, it is impossible for the Party to be strong while the State, the Front, and mass organizations are weak. Thus, all three components must be built synchronously. Because ultimately, those holding key leadership positions in the State, the Front, and mass organizations are all Party members.

Previously, Regulation 262 only divided positions into three groups: Politburo members, Secretariat members, and Standing Committee members of Party committees at all levels, as well as other positions. This time, the regulation is broader and more accurate, encompassing Party committee positions and leadership and management positions within the political system; and positions of officials elected or approved by the National Assembly and People's Councils.

Furthermore, regardless of their position, if officials have a pure and honest heart, and are dedicated to the country and its people, they will have the qualifications and opportunities to contribute to the revolutionary cause; but if officials waver, degenerate, or fall into corruption, they will find every way to profit and enrich themselves. Therefore, in addition to Regulation 96, the Central Committee has Conclusion 14 which encourages officials to dare to speak, dare to think, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility for the common good, and this is also a mitigating circumstance in Regulation 96.

If it can be proven that the official had no ulterior motives and acted for the common good, then leniency or even exemption from disciplinary action may be considered. Therefore, expanding the scope of eligible individuals in Regulation 96 this time is very appropriate and also creates a level playing field; those who perform well will be recognized, and those who do not perform well must acknowledge their shortcomings and correct them.

PVWhat are your expectations regarding the transformation in the awareness and actions of each official and Party member when evaluated through a confidence vote?

Mr. Le Van CuongAs President Ho Chi Minh taught us: A Party that conceals its shortcomings is a failed Party; a Party that dares to admit its shortcomings, clearly identifies the causes, and takes corrective measures with the best medicine—self-criticism and criticism—will certainly achieve high effectiveness.

Regulation 96 is a good remedy for cadres and Party members to self-reflect, self-correct, and self-improve, to look back at themselves and see the assessments of their comrades, colleagues, and the people, so that they can identify what is not good or right and promptly correct and remedy it.

Currently, regulations and rules are quite comprehensive; the most important thing is how to organize their implementation effectively, because many regulations and rules sound great but ultimately remain on paper.

Now that regulations on confidence votes are in place, the challenge lies in ensuring their implementation is substantive and effective. Otherwise, the regulations will remain merely a formality and will not be put into practice.

PVThank you, sir.