The Government in Singapore

Singapore is a parliamentary republic and the government is formed by the political party which gains a simple majority in the general elections held in Singapore at least once every five years.

It is not divided into any administrative divisions. Although Singapore is a multi-party nation, the People's Action Party (PAP) has been the dominant force since independence.

The president of Singapore is SR Nathan. He began a second, successive six-year term in September 2005 after the other contenders for the post were disqualified. Though fulfilling a mainly ceremonial role, the president has the power of veto in key areas.

The elder son of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Hsien Loong took office in August 2004, without an election, as part of a planned handover of power.