Politics
Posted on 9 Nov 2009
Last modified on 24 May 2010
Singapore is a parliamentary republic with a written constitution setting out the functions and powers of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. Due to the size of the country, there is only one state central administration. No local or regional governments.
It has a veto on the budget of the government, the appointment of senior officials and, in theory, controls the exercise of government with regard to internal security laws and religious harmony. Also, he is specially empowered to investigate cases of corruption (Singapore is the least corrupt countries in the world). He is assisted by an Advisory Board to which he is obliged to consult in certain circumstances.
From 1 September 2005, S.R. Nathan is the 6th President of the Republic (for the second consecutive term).
The Parliament is unicameral and is based on the British system of parliamentary democracy where Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected in general elections, with a roster system by districts. The leader of the party holding the most seats, will be proposed by the President as the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister elects, from among the MPs, the ministers who form the Cabinet or Government. The Parliament is headed by the “Speaker” and in his absence by the “Deputy Speaker”. The life of Parliament is 5 years from the first session. The last elections took place on 6 May 2006. To be elected as a MP, the candidate must be of Singapore, over 21 years; minimum age is also required to vote. The vote is secret and compulsory.
The judicial power rests in the Supreme Court and the secondary magistrates. In theory is independent of the legislative and executive branches. The Supreme Court is composed of the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Singapore is undoubtedly the country with greater political stability in Southeast Asia. In large measure this stability is due to strong government control over political life. Most people recognize the cost of this control, but appreciates the welfare and level of development achieved in the last 30 years (with a per capita income of about 22,500 €). No changes are expected from the political scene in coming years. Since the time of self-government in 1959 and independence in 1965, political life has been dominated by the People’s Action Party (PAP) and its founder Lee Kuan Yew. The PAP has gained successive clean elections. The role of government / party has transcended, in a great deal, the one reserved for a political formation in a system of parliamentary democracy. The political system could be defined as a “strong state”, not based on coercion but on consensus and large capacity of government to summon the will and mobilize the population towards the objectives set by the executive.
The political party that has held power continuously winning ten elections so far is the People’s Action Party (PPP). While Mr. Lee Hsien Loong is Prime Minister since 2004, the former Premier (Goh Chok Tong) remains as Senior Minister and the former as Minister Mentor (Lee Kwan Yew). In 1997 the PAP get the 65% of votes,the lowest result, in 2001 they had the 75% (82 of 84 seats). In 2005 there were nine members appointed and one without division. In the 2006 general election, the PAP reached 66.6% of the vote (82 seats again.)
There are 5 major parties in opposition. The two opposition MPs are Mr Chiam See Tong, Potong Pasir MP since 1984 and leader of the Singapore Democratic Alliance that brings together four political parties, Low Thia Khiang Mr., MP for Hougang since 1991 and leader of party Workers. In the 2006 elections saw both increase the number of votes in its favor.
The role of women in politics has always been very minoritary, although in recent times their presence is bigger. In 1984 three women of the PAP candidate were elected to the Parliament, becoming the first women to hold seats in it. Since then the government encourages women’s participation in politics. In 2001 there were three deputies and several female deputies appointed.
International Relations
When Singapore gained its independence in 1965, the country of 581.5 square kilometers aspired to play a role in the region or on the international scene. Due to its lack of natural resources and to be surrounded by neighboring countries openly hostile, diplomacy became a key instrument for the survival of the nation. Emulating the model of Swiss neutrality and nonalignment, the Singaporean foreign policy was the “are friends of everyone who wants to be our friends.”
Diplomatic relations were reestablished with countries, from the U.S. to the Soviet Union, Israel or Egypt. To date, Singapore maintains a delicate balance between neutrality and the movement of nonaligned countries. Singapore is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Relations with the United States and Europe are particularly close and Singapore is member of the Commonwealth and United Nations. He was a member of the Security Council in 2001-2002. An ardent advocate of free trade, Singapore also belongs to the World Tourism Organization (WTO). It currently has more than 55 embassies residents, some 40 consular posts, is home to eight international organizations, as well as about 60 non-resident Ambassadors accredited.