Singapore’s long-dominant People’s Action Party (PAP) has won a decisive victory in the city-state’s general election held on May 3, 2025, securing a parliamentary supermajority and giving Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a strong mandate to govern. According to official results released early Sunday, the PAP captured 87 of 97 seats in Singapore’s unicameral parliament, reinforcing its political dominance despite recent scandals and a more energized opposition campaign.
The victory marks Wong’s first major electoral test since assuming office from Lee Hsien Loong in late 2024. While analysts predicted PAP would retain control, the margin of victory surprised some observers who had anticipated larger gains by the opposition.
Lawrence Wong’s First Major Electoral Test
Wong, who rose to national prominence for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, called the victory a “deep honour” and pledged to “work even harder to meet the aspirations of all Singaporeans.” Addressing cheering supporters at Yio Chu Kang stadium, he said, “We are grateful once again for your strong mandate, and we will honour it.”
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His campaign emphasized economic stability amid rising global uncertainty, especially fears around renewed US tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration. Wong warned that protectionist measures by the US could severely disrupt Singapore’s trade-dependent economy, requiring structural reforms.
“The intense campaigning by PM Lawrence Wong and former PM Lee Hsien Loong in the hot seats must have helped a lot, and the fear of Trump’s tariffs must have worried voters as well,” noted political analyst P.N. Balji, a former editor of Today.
The Rise of a Political Heir and the Shadow of Legacy
Wong, seen as a pragmatic technocrat, was handpicked by PAP elders as part of Singapore’s carefully managed leadership transition. His predecessor, Lee Hsien Loong, the son of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, had governed for two decades and stepped down in 2024, continuing a lineage of tightly controlled political succession.
Despite PAP’s strong performance, the election campaign was shadowed by controversies surrounding the party and the Lee family itself. A very public and bitter feud between Lee Hsien Loong and his brother Lee Hsien Yang, who supports the opposition and has sought asylum in the UK, centered on a dispute over the fate of the family home—a potent symbol of Singaporean heritage.
Other recent scandals include the imprisonment of former Transport Minister S. Iswaran for corruption, and the resignations of both the Speaker of Parliament and a prominent PAP MP over an “inappropriate” relationship. These events, though damaging to PAP’s image, did not drastically shift electoral outcomes.
Workers’ Party Maintains Presence but Fails to Expand
The Workers’ Party (WP), Singapore’s most prominent opposition group, retained 10 parliamentary seats, the same number it won in 2020. Despite high turnout at campaign rallies, impressive social media engagement, and a line-up of high-profile candidates including respected lawyers and civil society advocates, the party was unable to translate visibility into significant electoral gains.
WP leader Pritam Singh campaigned on cost of living pressures and argued for the need to curb PAP’s near-monopoly on legislative power. “We’re not asking for a change in government, we’re asking for balance,” Singh said in his final campaign speech. “We want a Singapore where the people have more than one voice in Parliament.”
His message resonated with younger, urban voters, particularly those under 40, many of whom feel disconnected from the PAP’s technocratic messaging. “I was really impressed by some of the new opposition candidates,” said Shi’ai Liang, a 40-year-old marketing executive who spoke to AFP. “They felt refreshing and relatable.”
Still, the country’s first-past-the-post system and the PAP’s deep structural advantages—including strict media controls, a brief nine-day campaign window, and an electoral system criticized for gerrymandering—make it extremely difficult for opposition parties to convert popular sentiment into seats.
Cost of Living and Tariffs at the Forefront
The dominant election issue was the cost of living, as Singaporeans grappled with inflation, rising utility prices, and a recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) increase to 9%. Opposition candidates attacked the government for mismanaging inflation and disproportionately burdening the middle and lower classes.
The PAP countered by pointing to cash handouts, rental subsidies, and grocery vouchers as evidence of its efforts to support vulnerable families. In his speeches, Wong emphasized that economic openness was not just an ideal but a necessity for a small, export-reliant nation.
He painted a dire picture of a potential trade war triggered by Trump’s protectionist stance, warning that Singapore must adapt quickly. “We have to stay agile, competitive, and outward-looking. If not, we will be left behind,” Wong said.
PAP’s Continued Political Dominance Despite Shifting Currents
Singapore’s political landscape has been characterized by PAP supermajorities since independence in 1965. Yet despite its clean sweep in this election, analysts caution that beneath the surface, the electorate is shifting.
A growing segment of younger voters are turning to alternative media, engaging in political discourse on social platforms, and questioning government narratives. The rise of political influencers, independent podcasts, and digital town halls has created new channels for civic engagement.
“The PAP is still dominant, but they’re dealing with a more politically literate, issue-conscious electorate,” said Dr. Cherian George, a media scholar based in Hong Kong. “If the opposition can sustain its momentum and build grassroots strength, we may see a more competitive environment in 10 to 15 years.”
Looking Ahead: Economic Challenges and Political Evolution
With a strong electoral mandate, Lawrence Wong now faces the formidable task of steering Singapore through economic headwinds while responding to increasing public scrutiny.
He must manage not only global trade uncertainties but also domestic expectations for greater transparency, political pluralism, and economic equity. Younger Singaporeans, in particular, are watching closely to see whether the PAP’s traditional top-down governance model can evolve to accommodate more inclusive forms of policymaking.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties, though disappointed by the outcome, are unlikely to fade. Their ability to capture public imagination, mobilize digital communities, and raise critical policy questions ensures that while the PAP may continue to dominate Singapore’s Parliament, it can no longer take public support for granted.
