The new Laos Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith addresses the National Assembly on October 5. (Lao News Agency)
On October 5, Laos appointed Saleumxay Kommasith as the new Prime Minister (PM) and elected Sonexay Siphandone as the new Chairman of the National Assembly. The succession was made following the death of former National Assembly Chairman Xaysomphone Phomvihane in August. The leadership changes come as the government sets priorities for the final months of 2026.
The changes were approved during the second session of the 10th National Assembly. Former Lao PM Sonexay was elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly with all votes in favour. Former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Saleumxay was unanimously approved to lead the government for the remainder of the 10th term administration.
The leadership changes come as Laos prepares to accelerate its socio-economic and fiscal programmes before the end of the year. Lao PM Saleumxay outlined priorities including food production, infrastructure recovery, mineral management, investment, tourism, revenue collection and monetary stability.
In agriculture, the government plans to increase dry-season production to offset losses from flooding while repairing irrigation systems and ensuring supplies of seeds, livestock and fertiliser. Lao authorities will also accelerate repairs to flood-damaged roads, particularly routes linking economic corridors, national highways, production areas and tourist destinations.
The government plans to strengthen oversight of mineral production and exports while expanding domestic processing of resources including gold, copper, potash and bauxite.
Moreover, major infrastructure projects will continue, including the Vientiane-Boten Expressway, Pakxan–Lao-Vietnam Border Expressway and Thakhek–Lao-Vietnam Border Railway. Tourism promotion will be stepped up, with the government targeting 4.46 million foreign visitors.
The government also plans to increase domestic revenue collection, expand electronic invoicing, broaden the value-added tax (VAT) base and tighten financial management while limiting administrative spending. It will also pursue measures to maintain monetary and foreign-exchange stability and expand the Lao Foreign Exchange market.
They will further diversify fuel supplies, reduce reliance on a single supplier and promote alternative energy and electric vehicles in response to fluctuations in fuel prices. The National Assembly session will run until October 21, with lawmakers also expected to consider legislation, government performance and socio-economic and budgetary matters.
The leadership changes bring a shift in responsibilities between two senior figures while keeping policy continuity at the centre of Laos’ agenda. As the new PM taking charge of the government and the new Chairman of National Assembly moving to the legislature, the administration is focusing on economic recovery, fiscal management, infrastructure and monetary stability as it enters the final months of 2026.
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