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SINGAPORE – Seven opposition parties in Singapore met to discuss the possibility of forming a coalition to challenge the upcoming general election, led by former MP of the Action Party of People and presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock
. The Democratic Party of Singapore (SDP) reported that six other opposition parties were present at a meeting at the SDP headquarters on Saturday (July 28th).
: People's Power Party (PPP), Progressive Democratic Party, Reform Party, National Solidarity Party, Singapore First Party and former leader of PNS Lim Tean, who asked to form a new party – the Party of the Voice of the People.
At the meeting, Chee Soon Juan, Secretary General of the SDP, proposed Tan leads the coalition, given his experience and leadership. According to those present, there was no objection to this proposal
Dr. Chee also called for all opposition parties to sign a joint resolution at the same time. future, although the resolution is not clear.
Tan, 78, who attended the meeting as an observer, said: "If you want me to lead, we must first think of (country). If we come in, we have to go as a team. "
Dr. Tan, a 26-year-old PAP deputy, lost the 2011 presidential election by 7,382 votes or 0.35% .The four-corner election was won by Dr. Tony Tan
The largest opposition party, the Workers Party, was not present at the meeting.When contacted, WP did not comment on its plans for the proposed coalition, or if she was invited to the meeting.
A spokesman for Dr. Tan said that he is currently not a member of a political party. When he was contacted, the secretary PPP general, Goh Meng Seng, said that it was too early to decide on the need to join one of the parties for the next general election, scheduled for April 2021.
on an opposition coalition have been "continuing for a long time" – since at least 2015.
In the press statement, Dr Chee said that SDP & # 39; had no intention of leading the coalition effort. "On the contrary, we see our role as a facilitator, doing our part to contribute to a common good and greater," he said.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Lim said, "Our alliance must strive to form the next government.We are wondering if the movement was inspired by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, l & # 39; former prime minister who had led a coalition of opposition parties to get a shock Mr. Lim said: "The elections in Malaysia are a continuation of the global trend of the past two years, which shows that people want the change, I do not believe that this phenomenon is limited only to the West or Malaysia. "
The Straits Times understands that the Singapore People's Party, led by veteran opposition Chiam See Tong, was invited to the meeting on Saturday but did not send a representative.
The last opposition coalition was the Democratic Alliance of Singapore, the rise to the 2001 general election, which has disappeared since the NSP and Mr. Chiam left the coalition.
L & # 39; Political observer Eugene Tan said that a coalition led by Dr. Tan, which enjoys grassroots support in the field, could serve as a catalyst for the next general election. It remains to be seen if this can change the game. for the opposition, he added, pointing out that the minimum number of opposition MPs, including non-constitutional MPs, will increase from 9 to 12 after the constitutional amendment in 2016.
"Candidates will compete for seats in constituencies where they think the PAP is not as strong, and three-way fights can take place. "
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