Is Minister Lawrence Wong likely to succeed Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong?

Minister Lawrence Wong is likely to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – Photo: CHANNEL NEWS ASIA

On April 14, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: “This is an important decision for Singapore. Ensuring continuity and stability of leadership is the hallmark of our system.”

Stability has long been one of Singapore’s main strengths and has made it a haven for investors and businesses in Asia, where political upheaval isn’t too much, according to Reuters news agency. rare.

Mr. Wong, 49, has been instrumental in getting Singapore through the COVID-19 pandemic as co-chair of the government’s COVID-19 task force.

He is considered by analysts as a potential successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, now 70 years old.

The succession to leadership in Singapore by the ruling People’s Action Party was carefully planned by the party. However, it is also not without surprises. Last year, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat decided to step down from his position to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The fourth generation of young leaders of the People’s Action Party are among the prominent people who will be selected to succeed Prime Minister Li, replacing Mr. Heng.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has put aside plans to retire at the age of 70 to join Singapore in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he will stay until a new successor is chosen.

Eugene Tan, a law professor at the Singapore Management University and an expert on Singaporean politics, said Minister Wong deserves to be the successor to the prime minister position. “I believe the People’s Action Party has also taken into account who might represent the party in the next few elections.”

In the 2020 election, the People’s Action Party won 83/93 seats in the National Assembly and 61% of the popular vote – a distinct victory compared to many countries around the world.

The next election in Singapore will take place at the end of 2025.