HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — To Lam was reelected Friday as general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party and appears poised to become the country’s most powerful figure in decades, with analysts expecting him to assume the presidency in a break from Vietnam’s tradition of collective leadership.

To Lam, the head of Vietnam’s Communist Party, will also become president of the nation. His new stature comes with new risks.

The 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam convened its first plenary session on Friday morning to elect the Politburo, the General Secretary, and the Secretariat for the new term.

By Francesco Guarascio HANOI, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Vietnam's ruling Communist Party wraps up its 14th five-yearly congress on Friday, after meeting to select its top leader and set key targets until 2030.

Communist and political parties worldwide send warm messages celebrating Vietnam’s development and leadership.

Vietnam's 14th Politburo consists of 19 members, including three key leaders: Party General Secretary To Lam, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Standing Secretariat member Tran Cam Tu.

Vietnam’s Communist Party has opened a meeting to decide the country's top leadership and policies for the next five years.

Vietnam's 14th Communist Party Congress puts To Lam in focus, amid talk of power centralisation and an ambitious target of at least 10% GDP growth.