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
LeBron James UNFOLLOWS Diddy on Instagram after video of assault on ex
LeBron James has unfollowed Sean 'Diddy' Combs on Instagram.The unfollowing was noted by a Lakers fa2024-05-21Exquisite suites and unrivalled experiences
Travel is about experiencing those unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a cinematic sunrise over maje2024-05-21- At first, there’s just a fleeting glimpse as one breaks cover.Moments later, it’s a whole family. An2024-05-21
Inside Thailand's last untouched island: Empty beaches, authentic villages, mangrove forests
A tourist boom over the last three decades has turned Thailand into the busiest tourist hub in south2024-05-21Who is Jacob Zuma, the former South African president disqualified from next week's election?
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma was barred Monday from running for Par2024-05-21Globetrotting couple share stunning photos from visits to 75 countries
If these photos don't spark your wanderlust - nothing will. They've been taken by travel couple Dani2024-05-21
atest comment