SINGAPORE, Jan. 21 -- The Workers' Party has declined Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's request to nominate a new Leader of the Opposition (LO), setting up an unusual standoff over a role that has become a fixture of Singapore's political landscape since 2020.

In a statement published today, the party said it had formally informed the prime minister of its decision, stressing that its position was rooted in principle: the leader of the largest Opposition party should, by definition, be the Leader of the Opposition.

The Workers' Party also said it considers the appointment a matter of democratic convention rather than executive discretion.

"In Singapore, the position of LO is a discretionary appointment that the prime minister ma...