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
- Cancer-stricken King Charles will be feeling fresh heartache after a former IRA commander confessed2024-05-21
I gave birth in my Ford Mondeo while stuck in traffic on the way to hospital
A woman gave birth to her baby in the front seat of her Ford Mondeo - after getting stuck in traffic2024-05-21Marcus Armstrong pays tribute to cancer patients with special paint job for Indy Grand Prix
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Marcus Armstong’s No. 11 Honda-powered car will come with all the usual trimming2024-05-21Brewers LHP Robert Gasser expected to make MLB debut against Cardinals on Friday
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser is expected to make his MLB pitching debut on F2024-05-21The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro
A university boss has been praised after telling a pro-Gaza student mob he will not meet them until2024-05-21Virginia judge to decide whether state law considers embryos as property
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — A trial is underway in Virginia that will determine whether state law allows fro2024-05-21
atest comment