Building a rule-of-law state that is constructive and for the people

On the afternoon of November 4, the National Assembly discussed in groups the draft document to be submitted to the 14th Party Congress. In his speech before the discussion session, General Secretary To Lam emphasized major and important issues as well as suggested comments on the draft document - the orientation for the development path of our nation in the coming years.

"It's clear in parliament, but difficult at the grassroots level"

Suggesting to the National Assembly deputies - those who directly make laws, the General Secretary emphasized 7 important groups of contents. Firstly, regarding institutions and laws, the promulgation of laws is to manage society by law, to build a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, for the people. However, in practice, there is still a situation where "the law is correct but it is difficult to implement", "it is clear in the parliament, but it is difficult at the grassroots level".

On the afternoon of November 4, General Secretary To Lam spoke before the National Assembly about a number of new points and important orientations in the draft documents submitted to the 14th National Party Congress.

PHOTO: VNA

From practical shortcomings, the General Secretary asked the delegates to focus on the issue of why there are laws, decrees, and circulars issued very elaborately and densely, but grassroots officials do not dare to implement them; businesses are struggling; people are confused and going back and forth? Where are there overlaps, where are there different understandings between ministries and branches, where authority is delegated but people are forced to take responsibility beyond their control.

"We must aim for a legal system that is "easy to remember, easy to understand, easy to implement". The wording of the law must be concise, clear, not confusing, and not leave any room for abuse or evasion. The policies issued must measure the impact, control risks, and especially create convenience, not create additional procedures. A good law is not a well-written law, but a law that is implemented in life," the General Secretary emphasized.

Regarding building and perfecting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's rule of law state, according to the General Secretary, first of all is the respect for the Constitution and the law, the control of power, publicity, transparency, and accountability to the people.

The General Secretary noted the following questions: Have we done enough to ensure that every power is bound within the legal framework, operating within its authority, for its purpose, and in the interests of the people? Are there any gaps that make people feel "if they want it, they can get it, if they don't want it, they can't"? Are there any situations where people have to "ask" for things they should "enjoy"? If there are no complete answers, that is where the rule of law State is not complete.

The General Secretary also emphasized that building our rule-of-law State means building a strong state that does not abuse power; has discipline but is not far from the people; acts decisively but is still humane, convincing, and has dialogue. Such orientations need to be made clear in the documents of the 14th Congress.

The two-tier model must be designed so that people are not far from the government.

Third, regarding decentralization, delegation of authority and organizational structure, two questions must be answered: what is decentralized, to whom, and under what conditions? What will be the mechanism for responsibility, inspection and supervision?

General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Standing member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu attended the National Assembly session on November 4.

PHOTO: GIA HAN

The General Secretary requested that where subordinates can make decisions faster and closer to the people than superiors, they must boldly delegate power, but delegation of power does not mean "pushing down work" or "pushing down risks". Delegating power must come with resources, human resources, tools, and a legal safety zone so that cadres dare to act and dare to take responsibility for the common good, not unjustly taking personal responsibility.

Regarding the two-level local government model, which is being gradually reorganized towards a streamlined, effective and efficient apparatus, the General Secretary said that this is very new, very important and sensitive content, directly related to the lives of people and grassroots cadres.

"How should the two-level model be designed so that people are not far from the government and public services are not disrupted? Don't let the announcement of streamlining the apparatus create more layers of asking and giving in reality. Another important thing is what rights the grassroots government must have and what resources it must have for the task of creating development at the grassroots level," the General Secretary said.

Along with that is the relationship between the central government - provinces, cities - grassroots. According to the General Secretary, the 3 levels must be a smoothly operating entity, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other. Absolutely not 3 layers "passing responsibilities to each other" so that the people run around. "Comrades are National Assembly deputies, going to the grassroots a lot, please give your detailed comments on these places," the General Secretary requested.

General Secretary To Lam speaks before the National Assembly

PHOTO: GIA HAN

We must aim for a legal system that is "easy to remember, easy to understand, easy to implement". The wording of the law must be concise, clear, not confusing, and not leave any room for abuse or evasion. The policies issued must measure the impact, control the risks, and especially create convenience, not create more procedures. A good law is not a well-written law, but a law that is implemented in life.

General Secretary To Lam

Fourth, regarding the organic relationship between the Party, the State, the Fatherland Front, organizations and the people, the General Secretary pointed out that the Party's leadership role is the decisive factor in all victories of the Vietnamese revolution. But how to lead? Lead by the right path, by setting a clean example, by organizing effective implementation, by building trust in the people or by administrative orders? This answer must be clear, transparent, and convincing to the people. According to the General Secretary, if we talk about "taking people as the center", we must design a mechanism so that people have a real voice, have real supervision rights, and have the opportunity to participate in real issues.

Identifying the national governance model

Fifth, regarding the Party's leadership and governing role in the legal system and in practical administration, according to the General Secretary, our Party is the ruling Party. Ruling means taking responsibility before the people for the country's development and for the people's daily lives. Ruling is not only setting out policies, but also organizing implementation, checking implementation, and taking responsibility for results.

Therefore, the documents submitted to the 14th Congress cannot just say "strengthening the Party's leadership" in a general way, but must clarify: The Party leads to ensure that all policies and laws truly serve the people, develop the country, maintain independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, maintain political and social stability, and preserve the great national unity bloc.

The Party leads to fight against sectoral and localism, group interests, negativity, corruption, and waste. The Party leads to protect those who dare to think, dare to do, and dare to take responsibility for the common good.

Sixth, on the spirit of innovation in thinking, innovation in working methods, innovation in national governance according to the motto of creation and for the people. The world changes very quickly and domestic practice also changes very quickly. If our thinking is slower than practice, the document will become outdated immediately, even as soon as it is passed.

Therefore, the General Secretary emphasized the need to read the document with a spirit of careful study to see if there are any points that still have old thinking, old ways of speaking, old ways of doing things; are there any points where we still maintain the habit of management by asking and giving, while the State should play a role in creating and serving the people and businesses.

"We must more clearly affirm the national governance model in the coming period: governance based on transparent laws, reliable data, modern digital infrastructure, streamlined apparatus, honest and disciplined officials combined with service. Such governance is development-creating governance, not governance based on asking and giving. Where there are still cumbersome procedures that discourage businesses; where people are frustrated because they have to go back and forth many times without getting things done; where there is still "running the mechanism". We must state it directly, not avoid it. Only by looking directly can we correct those shortcomings and limitations," said the General Secretary.

Informing that the Document Subcommittee had raised 18 new points, the General Secretary asked the delegates to answer two very important questions: First, are those 18 new points sufficient? Are any points still at the level of "policy", "orientation", "will be studied", while society is demanding specific answers, a clear roadmap, and clear responsibility?

Second, what issues have not been properly named in the document? What bottlenecks, if not resolved now, will cost us more in the next 5 years? We need to speak directly, fully, and clearly about those points and those findings.

"What the Party, the National Assembly, the Government and the people want has a very specific, very close and very simple common denominator: the country develops sustainably; society is orderly, disciplined, warm and humane; people are protected and given opportunities to rise up through their own labor; whoever does the right thing by law will be protected, whoever does wrong will be dealt with fairly, no forbidden zones, no exceptions," the General Secretary emphasized.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xay-dung-nha-nuoc-phap-quyen-kien-tao-va-vi-dan-18525110500011216.htm