The Presidential Elections

This Saturday is the Presidential Elections for Singapore. This follows a rather interesting General Elections earlier in the year. And this time there are 4 candidates. Previously there haven't been as many (or even just one). So it's going to be very interesting. Even if I'm just going to be sitting on the sidelines.

For one thing, in this elections, only the post of President is up. And in Singapore, the post of the president is very different from the president of other countries. The President of Singapore doesn't have as many executive roles. As far as I know, he has the final say on the use of the country's reserve. He doesn't have any political clout on any other government policies. But he is an important figure to Singapore as he represents Singapore to other countries.

For the 4 candidates in the elections, this is important. There is no use campaigning about being the voice of the people or wanting to institute change. I think most of Singapore is also aware. And the elected president will also have to be able to conduct himself properly in the international scene. I don't think Singaporeans want someone to stir up more trouble with the government itself.

That being said, since the president is supposed to safeguard the reserves, he should also be one to stand his ground if he feels the government is using the reserves unnecessarily. So he needs to be someone who doesn't just agree with everything that the government does. Most of the candidates at the moment are trying hard to show that they have their own mind. But in the end, whoever Singapore ends up voting, has to be someone that the whole of Singapore can stand behind.