Is a snap GE on the cards? Analysts divided

Some say time is ripe for next PM to seek mandate, others see value in longer runway

- Natasha Ann Zachariah & Goh Yan Han

The announcement that Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will take over as prime minister on May 15 may indicate that a general election could be called "sooner rather than later", say some political observers and pundits.

With international geopolitical conflicts and domestic issues such as cost of living and housing at the forefront of Singaporeans' concerns, they added that it is likely the general election will be held by the end of 2024.

This is even though DPM Wong has until November 2025 to hold the next election.

Former prime minister Goh Chok Tong took office in November 1990 and the next general election was held in August 1991, while Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took office in August 2004 with the next general election held only in May 2006.

SMU associate professor of law Eugene Tan said the handover announcement struck him as "being on an accelerated timeline".

There appears to be some urgency on the part of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) to go to the polls, he added.

The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on April 15 that DPM Wong will take over from PM Lee in a month's time, making him Singapore's fourth prime minister.

Pointing to the deteriorating global geopolitical situation with the latest major incident occurring at the weekend with Iran's attack on Israel - Prof Tan speculated that PAP leaders believe the time is ripe to seek a fresh mandate.

"In other words, to put in place the government for the next five years before things spiral downwards," he said.

"This will enable Singaporeans to be clear-eyed about the issues and challenges, and determine who should represent them in Parliament and which party should form the government." However, Prof Tan did not think an election right after the handover was on the cards.