Vietnamese lawmakers approve resolution on confidence votes

Hanoi, NOV. 21 (dpa/GNA) – Vietnamese lawmakers on Wednesday approved a resolution on holding votes of confidence in an unprecedented move which could force senior leaders to resign, officials said.   The resolution will allow the assembly’s 500 parliamentarians to hold a vote of confidence on the prime minister, president, National Assembly chairman and other high-ranking state officials.   “It is obviously a sign that Vietnam is becoming more democratic,” said Vu Mao, former chairman of the assembly’s Committee for International Relations.   “The National Assembly proposed a vote like this 10 years ago but we couldn’t implement it because of many difficulties,” he said.   Confidence votes will be held once a year and leaders will be forced to resign if they fail to win more than 50 per cent of votes twice in a row. Results will be publicized. The first vote will take place in mid-2013.   The move could be a challenge to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who in an address to the nation last week apologised for mismanagement of the economy.   Many blame the premier for slowing economic growth, which has been dogged by corruption-riddled state-owned enterprises and resurgent inflation.   Last week, outspoken parliamentarian Duong Trung Quoc urged the premier to quit saying: "It's time to take real responsibility not just apologise.” GNA    ... Read Full Story