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| Image: Flickr User - Arian Zwegers |
By Luke Hunt
The election of new leaders may signal a shift away from a heavy dependence on Beijing, among other things.
The leadership of Laos’ communist party and government has been replaced with a fresh slate, ending a five year-rule by Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong who was dogged by allegations of corruption, economic mismanagement and criticism that he was leaning too heavily on China.
With his government also punished by a wave of international publicity surrounding the 2012 disappearance of rural activist Sombath Somphone, the new administration will give the isolated country a fresh look as it assumes the high-profile chair of ASEAN for the current year.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has a scheduled stop in Vientiane this week, with U.S. President Barack Obama expected to land there later this year when Laos takes its once in 10-year turn as host of the Southeast Asian grouping.
At its latest five-yearly congress, Bounnhang Vorachith, 78, was named secretary-general of the party, replacing Choummaly Sayasone who stepped down alongside Thongsing and deputy prime minister Somsavat Lengsavad, in the highly secretive election of the 11-man politburo.
Read the full story at The Diplomat