SINGAPORE — Singapore's president dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, triggering a general election in the city-state within three months.
President SR Nathan announced in the government gazette that Parliament was dissolved on advice from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. In the last three general elections, voting was held about three weeks after Parliament was dissolved.
Lee's People's Action Party has been in power since 1959 and is expected to maintain a strong majority in fresh polls. His supporters controlled 82 of the 84 seats in the outgoing Parliament.
A small but feisty opposition will likely challenge the PAP in most voting districts, seeking to capitalize on voter discontent with soaring housing costs and a surge in foreign workers. In past elections, many PAP candidates ran unopposed.
Lee Kuan Yew, who was prime minister from 1959 to 1990 and is the father of the current prime minister, is expected to run for a seat again to maintain his Cabinet position of Minister Mentor.
Political parties must announce which districts candidates will compete in on April 27. (AP)