Tran Cam Tu, Politburo Member and Standing Member of the Secretariat, on April 14 signed and issued Conclusion 150-KL/TW of the Politburo.

This document provides guidance on developing personnel plans for provincial-level Party committees in areas undergoing administrative consolidation, mergers, or the establishment of new communes.

According to Conclusion 150-KL/TW (referred to as Conclusion 150), based on current regulations, resolutions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, and the Politburo's and Secretariat's directives on merging administrative units at the provincial level and reorganizing district-level and commune-level units, the Politburo has issued the following guidance to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and alignment in personnel matters across localities.

This conclusion follows a proposal from the Central Organization Commission (Document 259-TTr/BTCTW, 2025):

1. Viewpoints, principles, and requirements

1. The development of personnel plans for provincial-level Party committees in areas undergoing mergers or consolidations should include current members of the provincial Party committees, Standing Committees, and Inspection Committees. For newly established communes, the plans should also include members of the district-level Party committees who will be reassigned, as well as current commune-level Party committee members. All personnel must meet the required standards and conditions as outlined in Party regulations.

2. The personnel plan must ensure strict adherence to principles of democracy, transparency, fairness, and objectivity. Assignments and nominations should prioritize political integrity, ethics, leadership skills, and reputation, with a special focus on innovation, bold decision-making, and accountability. Young, female, and ethnic minority officials, as well as those with expertise in science and technology, should be prioritized, but not at the expense of qualifications. Localism, "group interests," and negative practices must be avoided.

3. Officials with disciplinary records during the 2020-2025 term, or those with documented violations under investigation, will not be considered for higher or more critical positions. During the merger process, the number of deputy chairpersons of People's Councils and People's Committees, as well as deputy leaders of agencies and units, may temporarily exceed the prescribed limit. However, within five years, the numbers and assignments must be adjusted to meet regulatory requirements.

4. For commune-level Party committees, the Politburo allows for provincial Party committee members to be appointed as commune-level Party secretaries. In special cases, where communes hold significant importance due to their economic scale, urban infrastructure, or population size, members of the provincial Standing Committees may also serve as commune-level Party secretaries.

5. The leadership of provincial- and commune-level Party committees and officials in merged or newly formed units must exemplify ethical conduct, leadership ability, unity, and balance in representation across localities. They must maintain continuity, ensure development, and meet the political demands of the post-merger era.

6. To foster unity and public support, political advocacy, communication, and education must be prioritized. Violations of Party principles or state laws that disrupt the reorganization process, particularly in personnel assignments, must be addressed promptly.

2. Personnel standards

The standards for Party committee members, Inspection Committee members, and leaders of political system agencies must align with Regulation 89-QĐ/TW (issued August 4, 2017) on leadership standards and evaluation criteria. Additional standards include political qualifications, leadership capability, and concrete achievements in their work. These standards apply to provincial-level Party committee members and commune-level officials, ensuring alignment with local political tasks and organizational restructuring.

3. Steps for developing personnel plans

3.1. For provincial-level leadership in consolidated or merged localities, including Party secretaries, deputy secretaries, chairpersons of People's Councils, chairpersons of People's Committees, heads of National Assembly delegations, and alternate members of the Central Committee:

The Central Organization Commission will lead the preparation of specific personnel plans, in coordination with relevant agencies, and seek input from the General Secretary, key leaders, and the Standing Member of the Secretariat. These plans will then be submitted to the Politburo and Secretariat for approval, ensuring continuity in leadership and operations during the merger process.

3.2. For provincial-level Party committees, Standing Committees, and Inspection Committees after consolidation or merger:

- Drafting and approval: Provincial leaders assigned by the Politburo will convene meetings with relevant Party secretaries and Standing Committees to draft personnel plans. These drafts should outline the current status of officials, including numbers, demographics (age, gender, ethnicity), qualifications, and challenges. Plans will also propose the structure and assignments for the current and next terms.

- Review and feedback: The Standing Committees of the merging provinces will submit the draft plans to the Central Organization Commission for review.

- Finalization and submission: Provincial leaders will revise the plans based on feedback from the Central Organization Commission and submit them to the Politburo and Secretariat for final approval.

3.3. At the commune level, the Standing Committees of provincial Party committees will provide guidance for developing personnel plans for newly established communes. These plans will align with the standards and requirements outlined for provincial-level plans and ensure seamless organizational transitions.

Note: Before the reorganization of administrative units is finalized, provincial Party committees must comprehensively review available personnel at the district and commune levels. This ensures that officials are promptly reassigned or appointed to leadership positions in the newly formed communes, avoiding disruptions in governance and service delivery.

4. Implementation

The Politburo assigns the Standing Committee of the National Assembly's Party Committee to review and amend relevant laws. During the merger of provincial or commune-level administrative units, elections for leadership roles such as chairpersons or deputy chairpersons of People's Councils and Committees will not be conducted. Instead, these positions will be directly appointed by authorized bodies based on Party recommendations, ensuring a smooth transition.

Additionally, provincial Party committees of merging or newly formed localities must coordinate closely with the Standing Committees of the Party Committees of the National Assembly, Government, and other central agencies. They are tasked with preparing personnel plans and overseeing their implementation according to Party and state regulations.

The Central Organization Commission, the Central Inspection Commission, and relevant agencies will support and supervise the personnel process to ensure compliance with Party principles and state laws. Any issues must be promptly reported to the Politburo and Secretariat for guidance.

Through these steps, the Politburo aims to ensure a seamless transition in leadership and governance during the reorganization of Vietnam's administrative units. This process will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the political system while meeting the needs of citizens and businesses.