Vietnam's Parliament elects new Prime Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - Vietnam's Parliament has approved a new Prime Minister, giving former bureaucrat and legislator Nguyen Xuan Phuc the challenge of maintaining the momentum of one of Asia's fastest-growing economies, ABC Online reports.

The 61-year-old was the only candidate nominated for the position by party officials earlier this year and won 90.26 per cent of the votes.

Nguyen will take over from Nguyen Tan Dung, a tough-talking reformist whose decisiveness won him broad support but also saw him sidelined by conservatives concerned he would become too powerful.

"I will do my best to serve the country and people," Nguyen, who was previously a deputy prime minister, said after the vote, according to state-run Vietnam Television (VTV).

Nguyen becomes part of a new triumvirate with party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang, who was endorsed last week.

Addressing the assembly, Nguyen pledged to achieve targets for the economy, which grew 6.7 per cent in 2015, tackle graft, improve the investment climate and fight to protect Vietnam's sovereignty.

He previously held key posts in local politics and on legislative committees and was once head of planning and investment in Danang — Vietnam's third-biggest city.