SINGAPORE, May 3, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Lawrence Wong is only the second non-member of Singapore's influential Lee family in nearly six decades to lead the affluent city-state, rising to the top job a year ago.

On Saturday he faces his first electoral test in a vote seen as a barometer for the popularity of Wong, who oversaw Singapore's response to Covid, and his People's Action Party's (PAP) in the nation of six million.

The polls come amid public frustration over rising living costs, a rejuvenated opposition and stormy economic times for the export-dependent nation since the return of US President Donald Trump.

The 52-year-old Wong, a US-trained economist, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong as prime minister in 2024.

Married without children, he comes from a young generation of politicians groomed for leadership in Singapore's carefully orchestrated succession process.

He is Singapore's first leader born after independence in 1965, and has made savvy use of social media, including of him showcasing his talents on the guitar.

- 'Decisive' -

While Wong has lengthy experience in government, he was not always tipped to reach top office.

But he distinguished himself as co-chair of a government task force to fight Covid-19, which Lee described as the "crisis of a generation".

"The pandemic response suggested that he is decisive and prepared to take tough measures if need be," said Eugene Tan, an associate professor of law at Singapore Management University.

Singapore was among the first countries to procure the Covid-19 vaccine and the government spent a whopping $74 billion, or 20 percent of GDP, on economic and social support.

That enabled Singapore to crank up its trade-reliant economy faster than other countries when pandemic-related curbs were lifted and international air travel resumed.

"I believe when push comes to shove and the time comes to take hard decisions, I would do so, so long as the decision is in the interest of Singapore and Singaporeans," Wong told The Economist magazine last year.

"My dad gave me a guitar as a birthday present, a surprise gift," he said in another interview. "I've been playing a long time."

Growing up in the 1980s, his greatest influences were Eric Clapton and rock bands such as the Eagles, he said, adding that he also loves the blues.

- 'Your future, your Singapore' -

He went on to graduate with bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in the United States, respectively.

He also holds a graduate degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

After university, he began his career in the civil service, where he caught the eye of the long-ruling People's Action Party.

Wong was first elected to parliament in 2011 and quickly climbed through the ranks to hold various positions, including in the defence and education ministries.

He went on to serve as chief executive of the Energy Market Authority, chairman of the central bank and as Lee's principal private secretary.

Wong was appointed finance minister in 2021, a position deemed a crucial preparation for running an international financial hub like Singapore.

Lee appointed Wong deputy prime minister in 2022, putting him firmly in line as heir-apparent.

"As I have repeatedly emphasised, leadership and political leadership is never about one person," Wong said previously.

But Wong has warned ahead of the polls that Trump's see-sawing trade war "will require a major restructuring of the economy, which we will have to carefully manage."

"So I say to all Singaporeans, please consider carefully. This is not a gamble. This is your family, your future, our Singapore," he said at a rally a few days before the vote.