Singapore's premier says his deputy will lead ruling party before general election

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday said he will hand over the leadership of the ruling party to his deputy by November 2024 before the next general election "if all goes well."

Speaking at the biennial convention of his People’s Action Party, Lee said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will lead the party in the next general election, Singapore-based The Strait Times reported.

The next general election in Singapore is slated to be held in November 2025.

Currently, Lee is also serving as secretary-general and Wong as deputy secretary-general of the People’s Action Party.

Having been in the government for almost 40 years, Lee said: "Lawrence has told me that he is ready ... I have full confidence in Lawrence and his team, there is no reason to delay the political transition.”

Lee added that he did not manage to pass on the leadership reins before his 70th birthday as hoped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If all goes well, I will hand over (leadership) by People’s Action Party’s 70th birthday next year.”

The party was set up on Nov. 21, 1954.

Lee said that the ministers had already chosen Wong to be their leader, a choice endorsed by the ruling party lawmakers.

The premier said that he had thought over the decision carefully and discussed it thoroughly with Wong and ministers from the third and fourth generation.

“It has been my great fortune and honor to have served the country, first in the Singapore Armed Forces, and then in the party and government, for all of my adult life," Lee said, fighting back tears.