On behalf of the Politburo, Standing Secretary of the Party Central Committee Tran Cam Tu has signed Conclusion No. 150, outlining personnel planning for provincial-level Party committees undergoing consolidation, as well as for newly established communes.

The Politburo’s conclusion emphasizes the importance of adhering to core principles in personnel work, ensuring strict, democratic, objective, transparent, fair, and lawful processes.

Avoid localism and group interests in personnel appointments

Personnel assignments, nominations, and placements must be based on structure, quantity, standards, and conditions. Special emphasis should be placed on political integrity, ethical conduct, leadership ability, and reputation - particularly on those with innovative thinking, willingness to act, and readiness to take responsibility for the collective cause.

The Politburo highlights the importance of training and appointing young officials, women, ethnic minorities, and professionals in science and technology. However, the standards must not be lowered to meet structural quotas. It strictly warns against localism, factionalism, and vested interests in personnel decisions.

Officials who have been disciplined during the 2020-2025 term or who are involved in ongoing investigations or pending conclusions by competent authorities will not be considered for higher or more important positions.

At the time of the merger, it is permissible for the number of vice chairpersons of the People’s Council, People’s Committee, and deputy positions in subordinate agencies to temporarily exceed the legal limit. Similarly, the number of members in Party committees, standing committees, and inspection commissions may also exceed the standard in some cases.

However, the Politburo stipulates that within five years, all personnel structures must comply with legal requirements.

At the commune, ward, and special administrative unit levels (after mergers or newly established), provincial-level Party officials may be assigned as Party secretaries at the commune level.

In special cases - where local Party units have strategic importance, large-scale economies, urban infrastructure, and dense populations - a standing member of the provincial or city Party Committee may be appointed as Party secretary of the commune-level unit.

Leadership standards for Party committee members, inspection commissions, and agency heads across the political system must generally adhere to Regulation No. 89. In addition, standards must align with the Politburo’s new directive on local Party congresses for the 2025-2030 term, as well as related provisions by competent authorities.

These standards must detail political credentials, professional qualifications, leadership competence, and measurable outcomes for officials under the provincial and city Party Committees’ jurisdiction - including commune-level officials.

Top leadership personnel plans must be approved by key leaders

Plans for top leadership positions in merged localities (Party Secretary, Deputy Party Secretary, Chairperson of the People’s Council, Chairperson of the People’s Committee, National Assembly delegation head, and Central Committee alternate members) will be developed by the Party Central Committee's Organization Commission, in coordination with relevant agencies.

These plans must be submitted to the General Secretary and other key Party leaders for guidance before being reviewed and approved by the Politburo and Secretariat.

Conclusion 150 details a three-step process for planning personnel in provincial Party committees and associated bodies after the merger:

Step 1: Develop and approve the personnel plan.

Step 2: Based on the plan, the standing committees of provincial or city Party Committees submit it to the Organization Commission for feedback and further revision before reporting to competent authorities for final decisions.

Step 3: Incorporate feedback and finalize the personnel plan.

For commune-level Party committees, the standing provincial and city Party Committees must base personnel planning on the Politburo’s new directive and related regulations.

At the same time, local authorities must apply the same standards and structure used in provincial planning to guide and approve personnel plans for commune-level executive committees, standing committees, and inspection commissions.

The Politburo also stressed the need for a full review of commune- and district-level officials before dissolving existing administrative units and establishing new ones.

This process will serve as the basis for evaluating, assigning, and appointing Party Committee members, standing committee members, secretaries, and deputy secretaries at the new administrative levels.

It will also involve reviewing leadership positions in district-level departments and agencies, as well as commune-level leaders, in order to promptly assign and recommend candidates to lead the newly established commune-level units.

Tran Thuong