The sole cabinet promotion bolsters the odds that 57-year-old Heng will be the ruling People’s Action Party’s choice for prime minister after the general elections, which may come as soon as this year. He was named first assistant secretary-general of the PAP in November, a designation considered as second in command to Lee.
(Apr 23): Singapore’s Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat was promoted to deputy prime minister on Tuesday, a move that further positions him to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Heng will become Lee’s deputy on May 1 while retaining the finance post, the prime minister’s office said in an emailed statement. He will also continue chairing the Future Economy Council and National Research Foundation.
