Laos Parliament Elects Saleumxay Kommasith as Prime Minister in Major Leadership Reshuffle
Outgoing premier Sonexay Siphandone moves to head the National Assembly after the death of its president in August
3 min read
File photo: Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith at the U.S. State Department, May 2022. Photo: U.S. Department of State / Freddie Everett, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Laos' National Assembly elected Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith as the country's new prime minister on Monday, China's Xinhua news agency and the Laotian Times reported, in a major change to the Southeast Asian nation's top leadership.
The vote took place at the second ordinary session of the assembly's 10th legislature, Xinhua said. According to the Laotian Times, shortly after 8 AM on Monday, all 158 lawmakers present voted in favour of Saleumxay.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone was moved to the presidency of the National Assembly, the Laotian Times reported.
Why the change came now
The reshuffle follows the death of National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane, who died on 8 August at the age of 69, according to an official announcement from the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee cited by the Laotian Times.
Xaysomphone had been re-elected as assembly president only months earlier, in March, when Laos opened its 10th legislative term. National Assembly Vice President Sounthone Xayachack stepped in as acting president on 18 August, and the post remained open until lawmakers met on Monday.
Who is Saleumxay Kommasith?
Saleumxay, born in 1968, built his career in diplomacy and foreign relations, the Laotian Times said. He held several positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including serving as Laos' representative to the United Nations.
He became foreign minister in 2016 and deputy prime minister in 2022.
Sonexay's new role
Sonexay, born in 1966, has a background in the military and government administration. He served in the Lao People's Army's armoured forces before holding senior government posts, including governor of Champasak Province and minister of planning and investment, according to the Laotian Times.
He became deputy prime minister in 2022 and prime minister later that year. He now leads the National Assembly, the country's legislature.
A run of reshuffles
Monday's changes are the latest in a series of major leadership shifts in Laos. In March 2021, then-Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith became state president, replacing Bounnhang Vorachit, while then-Vice President Phankham Viphavanh became prime minister.
In December 2022, Phankham stepped down as prime minister and Sonexay, then deputy prime minister, was elected to replace him.
Laos also reshuffled nine senior government officials in June 2025, including changes at the ministries overseeing finance, education, health, labour, agriculture, and industry and commerce.
After the March 2026 National Assembly elections, the country initially kept the same top leadership: Thongloun was re-elected as president, Sonexay remained prime minister and Xaysomphone was re-elected as assembly president.
The leadership reshuffle is expected to continue over the next few days, the Laotian Times reported.
