HANOI – Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved Nguyen Xuan Phuc as the country’s prime minister, completing a new core leadership trio to rule the fast-growing nation for the next five years.

Phuc was born in central Quang Nam province and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics. He held various positions including Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Quang Nam People’s Committee, and Deputy Chief Government Inspector.

At age 61, he rises from deputy prime minister to head of a government tasked with continuing broad economic reforms. He replaces Nguyen Tan Dung, who has served a maximum two five-year terms in office and is no longer part of the Communist Party’s top brass.

Phuc’s legislative endorsement, by 96.1 percent of the house, was procedural as he was the only candidate chosen by the party at its January congress.

He becomes part of a new trio with party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang, who was endorsed last week. Parliament will vote on a new cabinet on Saturday.

– with other agencies