The amended Constitution, recently approved by the National Assembly, strongly affirms the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) towards the State and society.

In an article analysing the Party’s role, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Viet Thong, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee’s Theory Council, said the affirmation, mentioned in Article 4, is based on an accurate and strong foundation both theoretically and practically.

In terms of theory, the affirmation of the Party’s leadership is crucial and obvious, while objective and suitable to the popular trend in the world currently.

Today, political parties have become popular across the globe, playing an important role in social life and an indispensable factor in the political life of almost all countries around the world, he pointed out.

In their constitutions, many countries also define political party matter. For instance, the constitutions of Turkey , Ukraine and Poland gave two articles to clarify the issue. Those of Switzerland , the Republic of Korea , Germany and China also give space to the subject, he added.

Particularly, the constitutions of Switzerland , the Republic of Korea and Germany highlight that the establishment of political parties is vital in showing the opinions, aspirations and political awareness of the people.

The documents also promulgate principles, regulations and methods of setting up political parties, as well as their organisation and operation. Applying a single-party or multi-party system totally depends on the real situation and development period of each country, he said.

Regarding its practical basis, Thong said the leadership role of the CPV has been shown in the country’s revolution and is widely recognised by the people.

The CPV is the only party that guided the revolution against all invaders for national independence, driving the country to a complete victory. The Party has also successfully led the country during national development since Liberation Day on April 30, 1975.

Thong underscored that the CPV has initiated and directed the country’s comprehensive renewal cause.

It helped the country successfully overcome the socio-economic recession during the 1980s to take stable steps on its path of national industrialisation and modernisation and international integration, with a view to basically becoming an industrial country by 2020 and a modern socialist-orientated country by the middle of the 21 st century, he cited.

The CPV’s political will and capacity are recognised by Vietnamese people who acknowledge that it is the only ruling party and do not accept pluralism or a multi-party regime.

The overwhelming majority of Vietnamese put their trust in the Party and hope that it can reshuffle itself, overcoming all shortcomings and weaknesses to fulfil its historic mission of leading the State and society.

The Party has also determined to restructure itself, improving its purity and strength to become “a Party of morality and civilisation” following the guidance of President Ho Chi Minh, thus consolidating the belief of people, Thong said.

He commented that the 2013 Constitution has been added with proper contents on the Party, especially those defining that the Party’s organisations and members act in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

The amended Constitution, approved on November 28, consists of 120 articles and will take effect from January 1, 2014.-VNA