In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Law from Eugene Tan, a former Nominated Member of Parliament, suggested that Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s announcement of his intention to run for President in the upcoming election could ignite Singaporeans’ enthusiasm for the elected presidency. Assoc Prof Tan noted that Mr Tharman is a candidate with the expertise, experience and standing, and he will have much to offer to Singapore’s intra-executive branch system of checks and balances. However, he claimed that a contest for the presidency should not be ruled out at this stage. Separately, Assoc Prof Tan shared his past encounters with Senior Minister Tharman and his quality of being a respectful and independent-minded politician. Assoc Prof Tan believes that Senior Minister Tharman's presidency, if elected, will be an overall gain for the country.