Current:Home > MarketsSingapore’s prime minister plans to step down and hand over to his deputy before the 2025 election -RiskWatch
Singapore’s prime minister plans to step down and hand over to his deputy before the 2025 election
View
Date:2025-04-16 15:45:02
SINGAPORE (AP) — Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday he planned to bow out and hand over power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong, late next year, before the 2025 general election.
Lee, 71, initially intended to retire before turning 70, but it was shelved because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has served as head of the long-ruling People’s Action Party, or PAP, and as prime minister since 2004. Last year, he named Wong, who is also finance minister, as his designated successor.
“I have full confidence in Lawrence and his team and there’s no reason to delay their political transition. Therefore, I intend to hand over to DPM (Deputy Prime Minister) Lawrence before the next general election,” Lee said at a party conference.
He said passing the baton to Wong before the national polls will allow the 50-year-old politician to win his own mandate and take the country forward.
“If all goes well, I will hand over (to Wong) by PAP’s 70th birthday next year” in November 2024, Lee said without giving an exact date.
Pausing to hold back his tears, an emotional Lee said he was thankful for the time he had served, and that he would do his utmost to support Wong and his new team.
“After (handing over), I will be at the new PM’s disposal. I will do wherever he thinks I can be useful. I will do my best to help him fight and win the next GE (general election),” Lee added.
Wong, who came to prominence in helping to coordinate Singapore’s fight against COVID-19, will be the city-state’s fourth leader since independence in 1965.
He was picked by PAP as the likely successor to Lee after then Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, who was earlier tipped to succeed Lee, withdrew his nomination. Heng bowed out after the PAP, one of the world’s longest-serving parties, suffered its worst election performance in 2020. Although the PAP retained its super majority, it lost some seats and support slipped.
Lee is the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, who became Singapore’s first prime minister and built the resource-poor city-state into one of the world’s richest nations during 31 years in office. But it has also been criticized for tight government control, media censorship and use of oppressive laws and civil lawsuits against dissidents.
veryGood! (521)
Related
- Trump's 'stop
- Here's the latest list of the '11 Most Endangered Historic Places' in the U.S.
- 15 Makeup Products From Sephora That Are Easy Enough To Use With Your Fingers
- Here's Your Desert Music Festival Packing List for Spring Break
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Stories in 'Sidle Creek' offer an insider look at Appalachia
- Singer, actor and human rights activist Harry Belafonte dies at 96
- See the Chicago P.D. Cast Celebrate Their Milestone 200th Episode
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- You're overthinking it — how speculating can spoil a TV show
Ranking
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Millions of people have long COVID brain fog — and there's a shortage of answers
- How should we think about Michael Jackson's music? A new podcast explores his legacy
- Can't-miss public media podcasts to listen to in May
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Beyoncé's Renaissance tour begins; revisiting house music history with DJ Honey Dijon
- In 'Primo,' a kid comes of age with the help of his colorful uncles
- Your Favorite Clothing Brand Has the Cutest Affordable Home Goods for Spring
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Black History Month: Shop Unsun Cosmetics, Everyone’s Favorite Clean Sunscreen
Kim Kardashian Asks Late Dad Robert Kardashian Sr. to Visit in a Dream in Heartbreaking Birthday Message
'Quietly Hostile' is Samantha Irby's survival guide (of sorts)
Trump's 'stop
In 'Quietly Hostile,' Samantha Irby trains a cynical eye inward
Transcript: Reps. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi on Face the Nation, Feb. 26, 2023
An unpublished novel by Gabriel García Márquez is set for release next year