Singapore PM Lee to step down on May 15 and hand power to his deputy
SINGAPORE (AP) — Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Monday that he will step down on May 15 after two decades at the helm, and hand power to his deputy Lawrence Wong.
Lee, 72, will formally advise the city-state’s president to appoint Wong, who is currently deputy prime minister and finance minister, to succeed him, his office said in a brief statement. Wong, who has the unanimous support of lawmakers in the long-ruling People’s Action Party, will be sworn in at the national palace later the same day, it said.
Lee has served as prime minister and head of the PAP since August 2004.
Lee announced last November that he would retire this year and has already named Wong as his designated successor. Lee originally planned to step down before turning 70, but those plans were shelved because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For any country, a leadership transition is a significant moment. Lawrence and the 4G (fourth-generation) team have worked hard to gain the people’s trust, notably during the pandemic,” Lee said in a Facebook post on Monday. “I ask all Singaporeans to give Lawrence and his team your full support, and work with them to create a brighter future for Singapore.”
Related articles
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
Socialite Jasmine Hartin has been seen enjoying a beach snuggle with her new mystery man.Ms Hartin w2024-05-21Incumbent president, PM head for runoff in Lithuania's presidential race: preliminary results
VILNIUS, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Incumbent President Gitanas Nauseda and Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte2024-05-21Suburban life of China spy suspects as neighbours say one 'keeps himself to himself'
The neighbours of a Hong Kong spy suspect have given an insight into his life as the Foreign Office2024-05-21Anglo American plans to break up its sprawling business as it tries to fend off takeover
LONDON (AP) — Mining giant Anglo American PLC plans to break up its sprawling worldwide business — i2024-05-21'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) — The road for Shota Imanaga from Japan to the major leagues included at least one shar2024-05-21Canada wildfires: More people are being told to leave area of western Canada as fire grows
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Hundreds of residents in four neighborhoods in the southern end o2024-05-21
atest comment