Singapore PM appoints future successor Wong as new deputy

FILE PHOTO: 28th SEA Games Singapore 2015 - Sengkang Hockey Stadium, Singapore - 10/6/15 Hockey - Men's Preliminary - Singapore v Thailand - Minister Lawrence Wong acknowledges the crowd before the match. Mandatory Credit: Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee / Action Images via Reuters

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday named finance minister and chosen successor Lawrence Wong as his new deputy effective next week, paving the way for him to become the city state's next leader.

Wong, 49, was picked in April as leader of the People's Action Party's (PAP) so-called fourth generation team but the timeframe for a change in power in the ruling party remains unclear.