Singapore to swear in new cabinet
Singapore’s parliament will today swear in a new executive cabinet.
The reshuffle, announced last month, came after the reigning People’s Action Party (PAP) saw a surprising slip in its support in July’s election, where it collected 61.2% of the vote, a nine point slide since the last election in 2015.
Newly appointed Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat will take a central role in the government’s economic policies. Heng, who is also deputy prime minister and finance minister, is seen as Lee’s successor, while Lee’s retirement in 2022 will likely be postponed to maintain stability and continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the long term, the new cabinet with “fresh blood” and more diverse ethnic makeup hopes address younger generations’ “different life aspiration and priorities”. Voters under 25 are less satisfied by the PAP’s sole focus on employment, but are more likely to rally behind candidates who are strong on both economic and social issues. Racial equality, LGBTQ rights as well as local community development are some of the main topics that swung votes to the opposition. The near 10% first-time voters might tip the balance of Singapore’s political outlook.
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