Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Economist to Singapore’s Historic 2023 Presidential Win, Life Intro
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Life Introduction of Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Real Name | Tharman Shanmugaratnam |
Famous Name | Tharman Shanmugaratnam |
Profession | Economist and Political figure, President of Singapore |
Country Origin | Singapore |
Date of Birth | February 25, 1957 |
Education | Bachelors in Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science; Master’s degree in economics at the University of Cambridge. |
Who is Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is a prominent economist and political figure from Singapore. He has held various important positions in the Singaporean government and has also made significant contributions to the field of economics.
Early Life of Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Tharman Shanmugaratnam was born on February 25, 1957, in Singapore. He studied economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He later completed a master’s degree in economics at the University of Cambridge.
Early Career of Tharman Shanmugaratnam
In his early career, Tharman worked in the Singaporean civil service and held various positions in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. He also worked at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, where he played a crucial role in managing Singapore’s financial policies.
One of his most notable achievements came when he served as the Chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) from 2011 to 2014. The IMFC is a key advisory body to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and plays a significant role in shaping global economic policies.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is known for his expertise in economic matters and has been recognized for his contributions to economic policy and governance. His work has earned him international acclaim, and he is often sought after for his insights into economic and financial issues.
In addition to his role in economics, Tharman has also been involved in Singaporean politics. He has been a Member of Parliament and has held several ministerial positions, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s career in economics and politics has made him a respected and influential figure in Singapore and on the global stage. His contributions to economic policy and governance continue to have a lasting impact on the field of economics and the development of Singapore’s economy.
Political Career of Tharman Shahmugaratnam
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a seasoned Singaporean politician and economist, entered the political arena during the 2001 general election. He successfully retained his parliamentary seat through subsequent general elections in 2006, 2011, 2015, and most recently in 2020.
On June 8, 2023, Tharman publicly declared his candidacy for the 2023 presidential election. Following this announcement, he took the step of resigning from all his government positions and his membership in the People’s Action Party (PAP) on July 7, 2023. This move was made in line with the non-partisan nature of the presidency.
In the presidential election, Tharman secured a resounding victory, winning by a significant margin over his opponents Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian. His election marked a historic moment as he became the first individual from a minority racial background to be directly elected in a contested presidential election. Tharman’s victory also set a new record in Singaporean electoral history, as he garnered the largest-ever vote share of 70.4% and received a record-breaking 1,746,427 votes. This made him the first President since Ong Teng Cheong in 1993 to achieve a majority of the popular vote.