Chairman of the National Council

Chairman of the National Council 主席国会 Chủ tịch Quốc hội
Coat of arms of Kuehong
Flag of Kuehong
Incumbent General Lê Văn Kiệt since 18 May 2021
Member of	National Security and Stability Council
Residence	Revolutionary Chairman Palace
Appointer	National Security and Stability Council
Term length	Four years, renewable once

The Chairman of the National Council (Kuehongese: 主席国会 Chủ tịch Quốc hội), often referred to as Chairman (主席 Chủ tịch), is the Head of State of Kuehong. The Chairman leads the executive branch of the Kuehongese government, the National Security and Stability Council, and serves at most two four-year terms as per to the Kuehongese constitution.

History

The position was first established as Chairman of the State Council after the military seized power through the 1967 Kuehongese coup d'etat. On 13 July 1968, the appointment was changed to Chairman for State Affairs, before reverting to Chairman of the National Council through the 1972 military constitution. The new position merged the powers of the Prime Minister and the President, giving the position absolute authority over the affairs of the country. The formal establishment of the post marked the end of civilian rule and the start of military rule in the country.

Trần Chí Duệ held the post until his death on 22 July 1979. Although there was no formal succession plan, he was succeeded by vice-chairman and second-in-command Vũ Tuấn Hưng after an internal vote in the Council. Vu resigned in 1984 and was succeeded by Trần Tu Tín, who later resigned during to failing health.

Under Lý Duc An, a new constitution was implemented that stipulated the powers of the Chairmanship, the term limits, and the succession process. A limited amount of powers were dissolved to the newly-established post Chief Counsellor, who leads the newly-formed National Assembly. The chairmanship continues to retain much authority over key decisions of the country.

Powers and duties

Duties

Duties of the chairman as described in the constitution are;

• Ensure that the Constitution is respected and upheld;
• Promote national reconciliation and integration;
• Ensure and facilitate the proper functioning of the Constitutional Council and other institutions;
• On the advice of the Election Commission, ensure the creation of proper conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections and referenda.

Constiutional powers

Nominally, the Chairman is responsible to the Advisory Assembly and can be impeached by a two-thirds majority. Nevertheless, the Chairman has little constraints on their power. The Chairman may declare war and peace. He can place the country or any part under a state of emergency, under which they can override any law passed and promulgate any regulation without needing legislative approval.

Administrative powers

The Chairman is the head of the executive, as such to make and execute numerous appointments which include the prime minister, cabinet and non-cabinet ministers, provincial governors, public officers, ambassadors and commissioned officers of the armed forces. The president may also appoint secretaries, officers and staff to carry out the duties of the office of the president. Grants and dispositions of lands and other immovable property vested in the Republic.

Office holders

№	Name	Portrait	Term of office	Notes
1	General Trần Chí Duệ		1968–1979	First military leader, who brought the whole nation under the military and formalised military rule.
2	Colonel General Vũ Tuấn Hưng		1979–1984	Second military leader who brought about reforms, later resigned in a corruption scandal.
3	General Trần Tu Tín		1984–1990	Third leader, the one behind the government reforms, brought further progress in democracy efforts in the country.
4	Major General Ly Duc An		1990–1996	First one to implement five-year term limits for chairman. However, he didn't keep to his promises of reforms and was later overthrown.
5	General Diep Duy Tam		1996–1998	Though served for a relatively short-term, he helped further made progress in the reformation of Kuehong.
6	Major General Diep Quang Nhan		1998–2011	Longest serving military head, has overseen further reforms and modernisation in the country.
7	General Vu Yền Lực		2011–2021
8	General Lê Văn Kiệt		2021–present	Current chairman of the Council