Singapore Key Facts

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Janet Morris
10:03pm Tuesday 16 March

Singapore Key Facts

Political system Republic with a parliamentary system of government
National government People's Action Party (holds 82 seats out of 84 possible seats in parliament)
National legislature Comprises the President and a unicameral Parliament
Last election 6 May 2006
Next election due 2011
Head of State President S R Nathan
Head of Government Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Key ministers
  • Mr Goh Chok Tong - Senior Minister
  • Mr Lee Kuan Yew - Minister Mentor
  • Prof S Jayakumar - Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security
  • Mr Wong Kan Seng - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Home Affairs
  • Mr K Shanmugam - Law Minister
  • Mr George Yeo - Foreign Affairs Minister
  • Mr Lim Hng Kiang - Trade and Industry Minister
  • Mr Teo Chee Hean - Defence Minister
  • Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam - Finance Minister
  • Dr Ng Eng Hen - Education Minister
Key Opposition MPs There are only two elected opposition MPs in Parliament: Chiam See Tong (Singapore Democratic Alliance), who is serving his sixth consecutive term and Low Thia Khiang (Worker's Party) who is in his fourth straight term. The constitution provides for the appointment of other MPs not voted in at a General Election. Up to three Non-Constituency Members (NCMPs) from the Opposition political parties can be appointed. Ms Sylvia Lim (Chairman of the Workers Party) has been appointed to the Opposition benches as a Non-Constituency member. There are also nine Nominated MPs (NMPs), who are not connected to any political parties.
Main political parties
  • People's Action Party (PAP)
  • Workers' Party (WP)
  • Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) (encompasses Singapore People's Party, Singapore Justice Party, Singapore Malay National Organisation)
  • Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)
  • Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)

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Last updated: 11 December 2008