Explainer | Singapore’s 13th general election: what’s at stake in July 10 polls?

The ruling PAP will be seeking a strong vote of confidence in its ‘4G’ leaders including PM Lee Hsien Loong’s designated successor, Deputy PM Heng Swee Keat

Singapore’s coronavirus response and economic woes are among the issues that will feature in a relatively muted campaign with no mass rallies

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Singapore is heading to the polls. Photo: AP

Published: 2:30pm, 24 Jun 2020Updated: 3:26pm, 24 Jun 2020

Singapore’s ruling party will be seeking a strong vote of confidence in its next generation of leaders when the country goes to the polls on July 10.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 68, had previously indicated he would step down by the time he is 70.

His designated successor is Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, 59, who leads the fourth-generation or “4G” PAP leaders.

The PAP has governed Singapore since 1959 and since the republic’s independence in 1965, its vote share has never fallen below 60 per cent. It is expected to retain its overwhelming majority in the 93-seat parliament.

Lee, announcing the election on Tuesday, said the vote would “clear the decks” and give the new government a fresh five-year mandate to steward the republic through a turbulent external environment and its worst ever economic crisis.

The ruling party will face off against 12 small opposition parties that are grappling with a range of internal problems and a political landscape favouring the incumbents. Some have openly said they do not seek to form the government.

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