Singapore's new PM Lawrence Wong is up against fierce headwinds

Major challenge will be guiding city-state through conflict-ridden world

2024-05-22 Editorial Singapore PM

Lawrence Wong is sworn in as Singapore's fourth prime minister at the Istana, the president's official residence, on May 15. © Reuters

Lawrence Wong has become Singapore's fourth prime minister. In the city-state's first change at the top in 20 years, the former deputy prime minister succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, who demonstrated strong leadership and international influence.

Singapore harnessed the forces of globalization to drive its growth, but it now faces headwinds in a world increasingly divided by the U.S.-China confrontation, Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. Wong is tasked with the heavy responsibility of guiding the city-state to sustained stable growth after decades of phenomenal development.

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