SINGAPORE — Singaporeans wearing masks and gloves will cast their ballot on Friday under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic that is pushing the city-state's economy towards its deepest recession and has made concerns over jobs the focus of the election. In power since independence in 1965, the ruling People's Action Party is expected to carry Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to another comfortable, and probably final victory. The son of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding leader, Lee has held the premiership since 2004, but aged 68 he has already flagged his intention to step aside in coming years. Seen as a measure of approval for both the government's response to the coronavirus crisis and the next generation of leaders, the poll results will be closely watched as even small shifts in the PAP's popularity can lead to major policy changes.

Source: International New York Times July 09, 2020 21:45 UTC