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Singapore calls snap September general election | Singapore calls snap September general election |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Singapore's government has called a snap general election for 11 September. | Singapore's government has called a snap general election for 11 September. |
The governing People's Action Party (PAP) has held power for more than 50 years. | The governing People's Action Party (PAP) has held power for more than 50 years. |
It will be the first election since the party's founder and Singapore's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, died in March. | It will be the first election since the party's founder and Singapore's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, died in March. |
The PAP controls 80 out of 87 seats in parliament, but analysts say issues such as the high cost of living and immigration have dented its popularity. | The PAP controls 80 out of 87 seats in parliament, but analysts say issues such as the high cost of living and immigration have dented its popularity. |
In the last general election in 2011, the PAP recorded their worst-ever showing, with 60% of the vote. | |
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is the son of Lee Kuan Yew, said in a Facebook post that this vote would help decide Singapore's long term future. | Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is the son of Lee Kuan Yew, said in a Facebook post that this vote would help decide Singapore's long term future. |
"You will be choosing the team to work with you for the next 15-20 years, and setting the direction for Singapore for the next 50 years," he wrote. | "You will be choosing the team to work with you for the next 15-20 years, and setting the direction for Singapore for the next 50 years," he wrote. |
Mr Lee has held power for 11 years and is calling this election more than a year before he is constitutionally required to do so. | Mr Lee has held power for 11 years and is calling this election more than a year before he is constitutionally required to do so. |
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