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The Prime Minister of Singapore is the elected head of government of the Republic of Singapore (and prior of August 9 1965, the State of Singapore), being the leader of the largest party in the unicameral Parliament. Since 1959, the People's Action Party (PAP) has been the ruling party in Singapore. From 1959 to 1990, the Prime Minister was Lee Kuan Yew, until his retirement on November 26 1990, when he was replaced by his deputy, Goh Chok Tong. Lee retained the title of Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.
Goh served as the Prime Minister until August 12 2004, when he retired and handed the office to Lee Hsien Loong, thus continuing the tradition of stable leadership handover in the city-state. Goh became the Senior Minister, while the elder Lee became Minister Mentor.