Vietnam's National Assembly has officially sworn in Tran Dai Quang as its new President on Saturday. The top police officer in the nation with decades of experience took the oath of loyalty to the country and constitution after he was the only candidate nominated for the post by the Communist party earlier in March.

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He will remain in office for the next five years and his term may be renewed up to a maximum of  three terms according to the country's Constitution.

Quang is already a familiar face in the Vietnam political circle as he has served among Police top brass and has been the Minister of Public Security since 2011. His area of expertise being internal security and curbing uprisings against the regime to ensure national stability. 

Although many have speculated that his role will be confined to that of a customary head with real decision making powers vested in the hands of the prime minister. However, since Vietnam has been famous for its complex political system in which the president, prime minister and head of communist party run the country by consensus, Quang is expected to yield much influence in decision making.

This appointment comes as a setback to many who favor a transition to a liberalist political system in Vietnam. As the chief of internal security, he often made headlines with his statements that are expressive of his strong aversion to rights groups that work to incite the people against the government and cause instability.

The swearing in marks the second major appointment in Vietnam in recent months after they swore in Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan as the first chairwoman of the National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam on March 31. She has been serving as the director of finance in southern Ben Tre province.

TagsChina-Vietnam relations, Vietnam, Communist Party, politburo, Politburo meeting