National Assembly Election 2026: New standards for representatives in a new era
WVR - The “raising standards” for National Assembly representatives is not only about enhancing individual qualifications but also a crucial condition to improve the quality of legislative activities, supervision, and decision-making on the nation's significant issues.
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The country is entering a new phase of development with intertwined opportunities and challenges, setting increasingly high demands on the quality of activities of elected bodies. In this context, voters' expectations for the new term of National Assembly representatives have also shifted significantly.
In an interview with The World and Vietnam Report, Dr. Pham Hoang Manh Ha stated that the country's “era of rising” simultaneously sets new “standards” for National Assembly representatives, from professional competence and political bravery to policy-making mindset.
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| Dr. Pham Hoang Manh Ha. |
From "representation" to "effective representation"
In the context of the country entering an era of rising with many opportunities but also numerous challenges, how do you think voters' expectations for the new term of National Assembly representatives have changed compared to previous terms?
As Vietnam enters a new development phase with strategic goals set for 2030 and a vision for 2045 in the spirit of the Party, voters' expectations for National Assembly representatives have changed quite clearly. This change reflects societal development, increasing public intellectual levels, and the increasingly stringent requirements of national governance in the context of deep integration.
Firstly, voters no longer merely expect National Assembly representatives to fulfill the role of “representatives” in the traditional sense but want them to become policy actors with analytical, critical, and creative capabilities.
In the context of increasingly complex socio-economic issues, the decisions of the National Assembly directly relate to various fields such as digital transformation, green growth, non-traditional security, or institutional reform. Voters expect representatives to have strategic vision, solid professional foundations, and the ability to deeply engage in legislative and supervisory processes.
Secondly, voters increasingly emphasize accountability and transparency in representatives' activities. Previously, the connection between representatives and voters primarily occurred through periodic voter meetings. Today, with the development of digital media and social networks, voters can closely monitor representatives' activities. This creates a form of “positive pressure,” requiring representatives to proactively interact with society, clearly explain policy views, and demonstrate personal responsibility in each decision.
| "The demand for raising standards for National Assembly representatives is becoming an inevitable requirement in the process of modernizing national governance". |
Thirdly, voters want National Assembly representatives to play an effective bridging role between the people's will and the national policy-making process. In the context of the country promoting institutional reform, building a socialist rule-of-law state, and enhancing national governance quality, representatives should not only “convey” voters' opinions but also know how to filter and transform societal demands into specific legislative and supervisory initiatives.
It can be said that voters' expectations are shifting from “representation” to “effective representation,” from “reflection” to “creation.” This is both pressure and a significant motivation for the new term of National Assembly representatives to enhance their capabilities, bravery, and responsibility, thereby contributing to the rapid and sustainable development of the country in the new phase.
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| Voters have high expectations for the quality of National Assembly representatives. (Illustrative photo) |
Raising standards for representatives in a new context
Amid digital transformation, the digital economy, and global geopolitical fluctuations, how should National Assembly representatives be “raised in standards” regarding professional competence, political bravery, and policy-making mindset to meet new demands?
The demand for “raising standards” for National Assembly representatives is becoming an inevitable requirement in the process of modernizing national governance. This issue can be viewed through three core aspects.
Firstly is professional competence. National Assembly representatives need a solid interdisciplinary knowledge base, especially in fields shaping the new development structure of the economy, such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, green economy, data governance, or non-traditional security issues. In reality, current legislative activities are not purely legal technical work but require representatives to deeply understand global scientific-technological and economic development trends, thereby participating in building predictive laws capable of adapting and leading development.
Secondly is political bravery. Representatives need to demonstrate steadfastness in their stance and ideology while having the ability to identify and handle complex issues arising in the context of increasingly deep international integration. In the process of rapid and sustainable national development, National Assembly representatives must both maintain political direction and have the ability to approach and apply modern global governance standards.
Finally, equally important is a strategic and long-term policy-making mindset. National Assembly representatives need to shift from “reactive thinking” to “creative thinking,” from primarily addressing immediate issues to designing institutional frameworks for the future. This requires the ability to analyze policy based on data, systematic thinking, and multidimensional consultation capabilities with scientists, businesses, and the social community.
In other words, “raising standards” for National Assembly representatives is not only about enhancing individual qualifications but also a crucial condition to improve the quality of legislative activities, supervision, and decision-making on the nation's significant issues.
Today, an elected representative is not only a voice for the voters but is also expected to have policy vision and forecasting ability. In your opinion, as the country enters a new development phase, what qualities and capabilities of National Assembly representatives should be prioritized?
In my opinion, as Vietnam enters a new development phase, a modern elected representative should not only function as a voice for the voters but also actively participate in creating public policy. Therefore, several core qualities and capabilities should be prioritized.
Firstly is strong political bravery and steadfastness in stance. National Assembly representatives need to maintain the country's development direction according to the strategic goals set, while also having the ability to flexibly handle new issues arising in practice.
| "National Assembly representatives need to shift from reactive thinking to creative thinking, from primarily addressing immediate issues to designing institutional frameworks for the future". |
Additionally, is policy thinking capability and strategic vision. Today's legislative activities are not only aimed at solving immediate societal issues but also involve designing institutional frameworks for the nation's long-term development.
Therefore, representatives need the ability to analyze policy based on evidence, systematic thinking, and forecasting capabilities for socio-economic development trends, especially in areas like digital transformation, innovation, or sustainable development.
Moreover, representatives need the ability to connect and genuinely represent society. This is reflected in maintaining close ties with voters, listening to and synthesizing opinions from various social groups, thereby transforming people's needs and aspirations into specific legislative and supervisory initiatives.
An indispensable factor is public service ethics, a sense of responsibility, and transparency. As society increasingly values accountability, the credibility and integrity of representatives are crucial foundations for strengthening public trust in democratic institutions.
In summary, in the new development phase, National Assembly representatives need to embody full political bravery, policy intellect, and public service ethics. These are the elements that enable them to effectively fulfill their role as representatives of the people while contributing to formulating strategic decisions for the country's future.
