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Bounnhang Vorachit

Bounnhang Vorachit [Bounnhang Vorachith], Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) CC General Secretary of 10th LPRP Congress was elected by Laos' secretive communist rulers as the new President of the Lao PDR in the first Plenary Session of the National Assembly’s 8th legislature which was held 19 April 2016. Bounnhang made the commitment to lead the country forward to civilization and prosperity, and to continue strengthening unity across the country.

Bounnhang had long standing ties with Vietnam, dating back to military training and as a student. He succeeded Choummaly Sayasone, who had been in the post for 10 years. Bounnhang was elected because he was the highest-ranking party member, after former-President Choummaly Sayasone. Based on the Party’s traditional turnover rules, ascending the chain of command naturally follows a ranking order. Occasionally, however, blatant evictions of prominent figures occur, catalysing the analysts’ attention.

State media said nearly 700 delegates representing the more than 200,000 party members attended the five day congress in Vientiane, the 10th congress since the Communist Party came to power in 1975. The congress, coming just ahead of an official visit to Laos by Secretary of State Kerry, was also highlighted by promotion of the Foreign Affairs Minister Thongloun Sisoulith to the post of prime minister. Phankham Viphanvanh, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sport was elected as the new Vice President of the Lao PDR.

The 8th legislature of the National Assembly meeting was officially opened under the President of National Assembly, Pany Yathortou who was re-elected as President of the National Assembly’s 8th legislature. Present at the event were former President Choummaly Sayasone, Party-State leaders and former leaders. Overall policy is unlikely to change under the new leadership and the government will continue to face criticism over its human rights record. The new leadership is more of the same. More of the same in terms of repression and constraints on civil society and basic freedoms.

Bounnhang Vorachit was born in Na village, Thapangthong district, Savannakhet Province, on 15 August 1937. Bounnahang VORACHITH is married to Mrs. Khammeuang VORACHITH, and they have three sons and two daughters [?]. Mrs. Khammeuang VORACHITH was born on 20th November 1949 in Khangvieng Village, Pek District, Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR. She graduated from Military Medical College. From 1964 to 1983, she served as nurse at Savannakhet’s Hospital and from 1983 to 1992 as Deputy Secretary of Youth Committee of Savannakhet Province. During the 10th Congress, Bounkham Vora- chithh, daughter of President Bounnhang, was appointed Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and alternative member of the Central Committee of the Party.

In 1952, he joined the Laos revolutionary movement, the forerunner of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. Since 1957, Bounnhang has held many important positions in the army, Party and Government. Bounnhang Vorachit had been Prime Minister since 2001. From 1982 to 1993, Mr. Bounnahang VORACHITH served as Governor of Savannakhet Province, from 1993 to 1996, he served as Mayor of Vientiane Municipality and from 1996 to 1998, he was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. In 1996, when most of the PLRP members were military, Bounnhang left the army, showing great courage.

He also served as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Investment and Cooperation, Chairman of the Central Committee on Land-Forestry Management and Chairman of the Central Committee on Rural Development. From 2001 to 2006, he was appointed as Prime Minister of Lao PDR and from 2006 to 2016, he was appointed as Vice President of Lao PDR.

After the eighth national congress of the LPRP in 2006, Bounnhang Vorachit became a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, permanent member of the LPRP Central Committee Secretariat, and the country's vice president. A protégé of party advisor Nouhak Phoumsavanh, who belonged to the party’s civilian wing, Bounnhang was rewarded with a Politburo membership, also reflecting his long experience as Governor of Savannaket Province and Mayor of Vientiane Municipality. In January 2016, Bounnhang Vorachit was elected secretary-general of the LPRP Central Committee at the 10th national congress of the ruling party. At that time, Bounnhang was ranked 2nd in the PLRP’s hierarchy, after President of the Republic and General Secretary of the Party Choummaly Sayasone. Since 2017, like his predecessor, Bounnhang also assumed both roles. The concentration of power in the hands of a single in- dividual is not, apparently, provoking great debates inside the Party, as had occurred in the past.

Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith on 14 September 2017 expressed his gratitude to the Chinese governments support and assistance. Meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, the Lao president said in the past years, China has consistently provided valuable assistance for the Lao people, which are very importance for the Lao security and independence, and played a very important role in promoting Lao social and economic development.

Bounnhang said under the current international and regional situations, it is very important to strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the two countries and the two armies. He said the China proposed Belt and Road Initiative has provided historical opportunities and real benefits for the Lao people, noting the Lao government enthusiastically supports and takes participation in this Initiative.

Congratulations poured in from around the world after Xi Jinping was elected Chinese president by a unanimous vote on 18 March 2018 at the ongoing session of the 13th National People's Congress. Xi, 64, was also unanimously elected chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit said he believed that under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at the core, the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics will make comprehensive and historic achievements. Bounnhang said China will definitely realize the goal of building a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful.

Bounnhang’s presidency indicates continuity in the «steady-as-you-go» policy of moderate conservatism; at the international level, it ensures the strengthening of the pro-Vietnamese policy. Bounnhang’s ties to Hanoi date back to the early 1950s, when he first joined the Lao revolutionary movement, and later underwent military training in Vietnam. It is no coincidence that Bounnhang appointed Dr Phankham Vi- phavanh, ex-president of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, as Vice President of Laos.