Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has announced he will resign from his position on May 15, paving the way for Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong to succeed him. The transition was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s office, which noted that Lee will recommend Wong to the president for appointment as his successor.
Lawrence Wong, who has garnered unanimous backing from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) lawmakers, is set to be inaugurated on the same day. Lee, who has led both the government and the PAP since August 2004, had revealed his plans to retire this year last November, identifying Wong as his preferred successor. Initially, Lee intended to retire before his 70th birthday, but postponed his departure due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Reflecting on the leadership change, Lee emphasized its importance in a Facebook post, commending Wong and the fourth-generation leadership team for earning public confidence, particularly through their pandemic response efforts. He called on Singaporeans to support Wong and his team as they strive to shape a promising future for the nation.
Lee highlighted the timely nature of this transition, which will allow Wong, aged 51, to establish his own mandate ahead of the national elections expected next year. Wong rose to prominence as a key figure in managing Singapore’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and will become the fourth Prime Minister since Singapore gained independence in 1965.
The PAP, which has been in power for an extended period, secured a supermajority in the 2020 general elections, despite experiencing its weakest performance in terms of seats won and percentage of popular support. Lee is the eldest son of Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who was renowned for transforming the city-state into a global economic powerhouse during his 31-year tenure. However, the country has faced criticism for its stringent government control, including media restrictions and the use of laws and lawsuits to suppress dissent.
