Saleumxay Kommasith elected as new Prime Minister of Laos

The National Assembly of Laos has elected veteran diplomat Saleumxay Kommasith as the country’s new prime minister. The election, held in Vientiane, passed with a unanimous vote of 158 lawmakers.

Saleumxay, a member of the Politburo of the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, previously served as deputy prime minister and foreign minister. He succeeds Sonexay Siphandone, who has been elected as the National Assembly president. Saleumxay’s background is noted for its international scope; he studied in Russia and Australia and has held diplomatic posts overseeing relations with the United States, Europe, and the Americas.

In his post-election address, Saleumxay identified several priority areas for his government, including food production, infrastructure recovery, mineral management, major investment projects, tourism, revenue collection, and monetary stability. These priorities come as the nation faces economic challenges such as debt obligations, currency depreciation, and a lack of reserves.