Singapore's PM Warns of Global Instability Ahead of May Election
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Synopsis
As Singapore prepares for the May 3 polls, PM Lawrence Wong emphasizes the importance of citizens choosing their leaders during uncertain global times. With growing concerns over trade tensions, he cautions about potential impacts on Singapore's economy and trade reliance.
Key Takeaways
- Wong urges Singaporeans to choose their leaders.
- Global conditions affecting Singapore's success are changing.
- Nomination Day set for April 23.
- Campaigning period spans nine days post-Nomination Day.
- Potential US tariffs could disrupt Singapore's trade.
Singapore, April 15 (NationPress) As the citizens of Singapore gear up to vote on May 3, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated on Tuesday that "Singaporeans should choose the team that will steer our nation" during this pivotal moment.
"The global landscape that has supported Singapore's achievements for decades may no longer persist," Wong mentioned in a post on Facebook, emphasizing the necessity of calling a general election.
Earlier on the same day, Wong recommended that President Tharman Shanmugaratnam dissolve the parliament, thus officially initiating the election process, as reported by Xinhua news agency. The Nomination Day is set for April 23, when the political parties will reveal their final list of candidates across Singapore's 33 constituencies.
Voters will have the opportunity to select either individual candidates or groups of candidates to represent their constituencies in parliament.
After Nomination Day, there will be a nine-day period for campaigning, which may include rallies, house visits, distribution of pamphlets, displays of posters and banners, as well as online political ads. Campaigning will be barred on May 2, a designated cooling-off day for voters to contemplate the issues discussed.
Wong, who took over the role of Prime Minister from Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024 after Lee's two-decade leadership, will guide the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) into the forthcoming general election.
The PAP, which has been at the helm of Singapore for more than 60 years, garnered 61.24 percent of the vote in the 2020 elections, a decrease from 69.86 percent in 2015. The Workers' Party, the sole opposition party to secure seats in 2020, expanded its representation from six seats in 2015 to ten in 2020.
This election unfolds amidst escalating worries regarding global trade disputes. Senior leaders in Singapore, including Wong and Senior Minister Lee, have recently cautioned that new tariffs from the US could jeopardize global free trade and pose threats to small, open economies like Singapore.
Although a proposed 10-percent tariff on Singapore might currently have a limited direct effect, Wong warned in an April 4 video message that the wider implications could be considerable.
"International trade and investments will decline, leading to slower global growth," he stated, adding that Singapore, due to its heavy reliance on trade, could face a more severe impact than others.
