Moscow (VNA) – The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure will create a legal foundation for Vietnam’s development in a new era, according to a Russian constitutional expert.
In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Russia, Dr. Oleg Ghermanovich Rumyantsev from the Russian Federal Bar Association, who is also head of the working group in charge of drafting Russia's Constitution, said the elections mark a new step forward in Vietnam’s institutional development.
He noted that Vietnam has recently carried out administrative reforms while accelerating digital governance, demonstrating the country’s determination to transform its state apparatus. Such reforms require new legal regulations, he said, placing significant responsibilities on the next legislature.
According to the scholar, newly elected lawmakers must fully understand the dual role of legal norms: both supervising and encouraging development. Modern lawmaking requires legislators to possess strong legal knowledge and the ability to shape regulations that both guide and promote national progress.
Rumyantsev said he has recently studied Vietnam's 2013 Constitution, particularly provisions relating to elections, and found many aspects he admires as a constitutional drafter.
He highlighted the constitutional provision that assigns the NA the power of supreme supervision over all activities of the State, including executive, judicial and other state agencies, ensuring strict compliance with the Constitution and laws.
According to him, this principle partly explains why elections in Vietnam receive such broad public attention, as they play an important role in shaping the quality and effectiveness of the state and society as well as the lives of citizens.
The Russian expert emphasised that deputies elected in the new term must meet increasingly high expectations from voters and citizens.
He also pointed to Article 8 of the Vietnamese Constitution, which requires state agencies, officials and public employees to respect the people, serve them devotedly, maintain close ties with them, listen to their opinions and submit to their supervision, while resolutely fighting corruption, wastefulness and bureaucratic practices.
Rumyantsev said this provision carries significant value in raising legal awareness among both the public and voters.
With such awareness, Vietnamese voters are likely to place serious demands on candidates for legislative bodies, he said, noting requirements for anti-corruption efforts and close connections with voters. /.
