Tharman Shanmugaratnam Elected President of Singapore in Contested Vote
Singapore has elected former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam as its new president in the city-state’s first contested vote for the largely ceremonial position in over a decade. The Elections Department announced that the 66-year-old economist had won the election, securing 70.4 percent of the ballots cast.
“I declare Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the candidate duly elected as the president of Singapore,” said election returning officer Tan Meng Dui.
Shanmugaratnam’s victory comes after incumbent Halimah Yacob, who ran unopposed, completed her six-year term in 2017. The appointment of Shanmugaratnam is seen as a vote of confidence in Singapore and a sign of optimism for the nation’s future.
“I believe that it’s a vote of confidence in Singapore. It’s a vote of optimism for a future in which we can progress together,” Shanmugaratnam said in a speech prior to the announcement of the results.
The president of Singapore holds significant responsibilities, including overseeing the city’s accumulated financial reserves, as well as having the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes. The stringent requirements for the position make Shanmugaratnam’s victory all the more significant.
Observers note that Shanmugaratnam’s win is also a boost for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), which is believed to favor his candidacy. The PAP, which has governed Singapore since 1959, has recently faced challenges due to a series of political scandals leading up to the presidential vote.
Shanmugaratnam, a former finance minister and longtime PAP member, resigned from his position to run for the non-partisan role of president. However, his independence was questioned during the campaign because of his past ties with the government.
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