The National Assembly (NA) yesterday approved two new Deputy Prime Ministers and high-profile reshuffles in the government structure with a majority vote.
Dr Bounpone Bouttanavong ( front left ) and Dr Phankham Viphavanh ( front right ) were approved as new Deputy Prime Ministers.
The approval was made at the 7th ongoing ordinary session of the NA's 7th legislature in Vientiane following the government's proposal on the appointments presented by Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong. Proceedings at the NA's 7th ordinary session were broadcast live on Lao National Television.
Head of the Administrative Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Dr Bounpone Bouttanavong, who is also a politburo member, and Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh, who is also a member of politburo, were approved as Deputy Prime Ministers.
Dr Phankham continues to hold his post as Minister of Education and Sports.
Governor of Champassak province Dr Sonexay Siphandone was approved as Minister to the Government Office and Head of the Government Office to replace Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, who will take the new post as Vientiane Mayor.
Dr Sonexay and Dr Sinlavong are both members of the Party Central Committee.
Acting Minister of National Defence Major General Sengnouan Xayalath, who is also a member of the Party Central Committee's secretariat, was endorsed as Minister of National Defence.
Minister to the Government Office and member of the Party Central Committee Dr Nam Viyaket will take a new post in Attapeu province, but his post was not specified.
Some 108 members out of the 121 members who were present at yesterday's session voted to approve the appointments and reshuffle; nine voted against, while the rest abstained.
Prime Minister Thongsing told the NA members that these high-ranking officials have grasped strong political ideology with high levels of knowledge, competence and experience, and demonstrate themselves as good role models.
“These leading officials have been tested through real work situations,” he said.
A member of the NA for Saravan province Professor Dr Daovone Vangvichith agreed with the prime minister that the officials appointed and reshuffled yesterday were qualified to take the new posts.
The approval of Dr Phankham and Dr Bounpone as Deputy Prime Ministers has brought the total to five in this post.
The other three deputy prime ministers are Mr Asang Laoly, in charge of social and cultural affairs, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith in charge of foreign affairs, and Mr Somsavat Lengsavad in charge of economic affairs.
Recently, the government also made high-profile reshuffles in the government structure that saw ministers and provincial governors taking news posts.
These included Deputy Mi nister of Industry and Commerce Ms Khemmani Pholsena, who was appointed as minister replacing her predecessor Dr Nam Vityaket.
Governor of Xayaboury province Dr Lien Thikeo was appointed as new Minister of Finance replacing Mr Phouphet Khamphounvong, who took a new post at the Government Office.
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Dr Bounchanh Sinthavong was promoted as minister replacing his predecessor Mr Sommad Pholsena, who also took a new post at the Government Office. Deputy Governor of Xayaboury province, Mr Phongsavanh Sitthivong, was promoted to Governor of the province. Many departmental directors were also promoted to higher ranks.