Singapore

Parliament

Political system
Presidential-Parliamentary
Structure of parliament
Unicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Oversight

Oversight tools

Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government
Yes

Sources: Standing Orders

Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials
Yes

Sources: Standing Orders

Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
No
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
Not applicable
Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments
Yes
Number of written questions asked, per year
2,787
(2022)
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
2,787
(2022)
Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
100.0%
(2022)
Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries
Yes

Sources: Standing Orders

Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
4
(2022)

Head of State and/or Government

Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government
Other

Notes: The President appoints the Prime Minister from among the members of parliament, who in his or her judgement, is likely to command the confidence of the majority of members

Sources: Constitution, art. 25

The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
Parliament does not play a role

Notes: The President is directly elected by the citizens of Singapore.

Sources: Constitution, art. 17A

Impeachment and confidence motions

Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
No

Impeachment procedure

There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution
The Head of State

Notes: Parliament may debate, vote and pass a resolution of no-confidence in the Prime Minister and the Government. However, only the President can remove the Prime Minister and dissolve the Parliament.

Sources:

Constitution, art. 22L
Standing Orders and convention

No confidence processes

There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution
The whole Government
The Head of Government

Sources:

Constitution, art. 25
Standing Orders and convention

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No