Wednesday will mark the first day of Singapore’s next prime minister

SINGAPORE: On Wednesday evening, Singapore will celebrate the appointment of a new prime minister, a historic occasion that comes after almost 20 years.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, 51, will take over as premier in a seamless transfer of power from Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who has held the position since 2004.

The swearing-in event will be in the Istana at 8:00 p.m.

Prior to entering politics in 2011, Wong worked as a civil servant. When Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat resigned from his position in April 2022, Wong was elected the leader of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP)’s fourth-generation (4G) team, and was viewed as the prime minister-designate.

Following Lee’s announcement on April 15 that he will leave his position on May 15, the handover was verified.

Wong will succeed him, having the unanimity of PAP Members of Parliament (MPs).

Lee formally announced his resignation to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Monday, May 13. He also suggested that Tharman extend an invitation to Wong, who enjoys the support of most Members of Parliament, to lead the next administration.

In response to Tharman’s request, Wong—a Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP—told the president of his new Cabinet lineup, which will also take office on May 15.

Minimal alterations were made to the list; Gan Kim Yong, the minister of trade and industry, was named deputy prime minister.

Lee will continue to serve as the chairman of the Research, Innovation, and Enterprise Council in addition to his appointment as senior minister.

As the government nears the end of its term and the next general elections must be called by November 2025, Wong said in a press conference on Monday that he hoped to “balance the need for continuity and renewal” with the new lineup.

Wong emphasised that the medium-term goals, Forward Singapore projects, employment, and other issues that affect Singaporeans would be the primary focus of his Cabinet.