On 1st September 2023, Singapore was added to the list of countries with an Indian-origin leader after the recent elections in the country. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the former deputy premier, has been elected as the 9th president of the Asian Nation.

Shanmugaratnam is a 66-year-old economist and statesman who has served multiple important portfolios as a member of the current ruling party, the People’s Action Party (PAP), has won with landslide numbers, securing 70.4 percent of the votes, with his rivals Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian scoring 15.7% and 13.9% respectively. The victory comes at a time when the ruling party has been highlighted in the anti-graft scandal, and PAP recorded its worst election results in the 2020 elections. Hence the results come as a sign of trust in the party among the public despite the political hurdles.

Shanmugaratnam’s political journey began in 2001 when he was elected as a member of the PAP. In 2011, he was appointed as the deputy prime minister and has also served as finance minister amassing a wealth of experience in various key portfolios.

The President’s job is primarily ceremonial, but the voting was widely monitored, with the outcome serving as a measure of support for the ruling party following a rare string of political scandals. Singapore’s accumulated financial reserves are officially overseen by the head of state. He has the authority to reject crucial public posts and legislation, as well as authorize anti-corruption investigations against the prime minister’s wishes.

“I believe that it’s a vote of confidence in Singapore. It’s a vote of optimism for a future in which we can progress together and support each other as Singaporeans,” Mr. Shanmugaratnam said in a speech before the results were announced. “I’m humbled by this vote. It is not just a vote for me; it is a vote for Singapore’s future.”

-Anushka Upadhyay