Anticipated Significant Reorganization of Cabinet; Key Roles in Defense, Finance, and Deputy Prime Ministerhip potentially under review
Singapore Post-Election 2025: The Great Reshuffle
Get ready, Singapore! It's time for a major Cabinet reshuffle following the May 3, 2025 election. The Finance Minister, Defense Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister roles are under the microscope, political pundits predict.
With the People's Action Party (PAP) snagging 65.57% of the national vote, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is gearing up to assemble his own team and appoint new political office holders, shaping the fifth-generation leadership.
The looming reshuffle marks the first Cabinet formed entirely by Wong since he took over from Lee Hsien Loong in 2024.
Post-election reshuffles usually happen within two to three weeks after a General Election. At a press conference following the announcement of the election results, Wong confirmed that cabinet formation would be a priority.
"Given the uncertainty of the trade war and tariff situation, there's added urgency this year," said National University of Singapore (NUS) associate professor Chong Ja Ian.
Recent years have seen continuity in portfolios due to COVID-19, the leadership transition, and global unrest. However, some portfolios may remain untouched despite long tenures, particularly in specialist ministries like trade and industry, foreign affairs, law, and home affairs.
Ministers like Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Mr K Shanmugam have been leading their respective portfolios for a decade or more.
The 4G Takeover
The retirement of three veteran ministers – Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, and Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen – and many current Cabinet members having held their roles since 2020[5] leaves ample room for Wong to make bold moves, analysts say.
Singapore Management University's law don Eugene Tan predicts the reshuffle will be significant, with Wong eager to showcase the depth of talent within the ruling party.
"Most of the 4G [Fourth Generation leaders] are not 'his' people. They all came in at about the same time," Assoc Prof Tan said. "There will be a focus from PM Wong on appointing people at the junior ministerial levels, where they would get their first POH appointments in his tenure."
Sources:1. Straits Times, 20252. Channel NewsAsia, 20253. TODAY, 20254. TheEdge Singapore, 20255. Bloomberg, 2025
- In the midst of the 2025 post-election reshuffle, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is expected to appoint new ministers to the Finance, Defense, and Deputy Prime Minister roles, marking the start of the fifth-generation leadership.
- The reshuffle, which is expected to take place within two to three weeks after the May 3, 2025 general election, could see significant changes, as several veteran ministers are set to retire, making ample room for the leadership change.
- Singapore Management University's law don Eugene Tan suggests that Wong might focus on appointing junior ministers to showcase the depth of talent within the ruling party, as most of the Fourth Generation leaders were appointed at around the same time.
- Despite the potential changes, some ministries, such as Trade and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Law, and Home Affairs, might remain untouched, reflecting the policy-and-legislation continuity that has been characteristic of recent years.
