Singapore's PAP wins landslide, increases vote share amid economic concerns
Singapore held its 2025 general election on May 3, with the People's Action Party retaining strong control under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The PAP won 87 of 97 contested parliamentary seats with 65.57 percent of the popular vote, up from 61.23 percent in 2020. The opposition Workers' Party retained all ten of its seats and gained two additional non-constituency seats. Voter turnout reached 92.83 percent. The election occurred against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty from U.S. tariff policies and domestic concerns about rising costs of living, housing affordability, and recent goods and services tax increases. Analysts noted the result reflected voter preference for stability during turbulent times, though it also revealed public appetite for diverse political voices and stronger parliamentary checks.
Key facts
- PAP won 87 of 97 parliamentary seats with 65.57% popular vote, up from 61.23% in 2020
- Workers' Party retained 10 seats and gained 2 non-constituency seats, cementing itself as main opposition
- Voter turnout was 92.83%, with 2,438,610 votes cast
- Cost of living was the primary voter concern, alongside housing affordability and GST increases
- Election held on May 3, 2025, during global uncertainty from Trump administration tariffs
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning sources highlighted cost-of-living grievances and called for stronger opposition representation. The Workers' Party criticized the PAP's GST hikes as poorly timed and argued for exempting essential goods from GST, national minimum wage, and greater accountability. Commentary emphasized voter concerns about inflation, housing costs, and wealth inequality, suggesting these issues should have shifted electoral outcomes more significantly.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning business and policy outlets emphasized the PAP's victory as confirmation of effective governance and economic management. They highlighted political stability, business-friendly policies, and Singapore's positioning as a predictable regional gateway for investment. Commentary suggested the result validated the PAP's approach to managing global uncertainty and affirmed investor confidence in the administration's ability to protect economic interests.
Limits of this briefing
Sources found reflect primarily English-language international media and policy analysis; local Singaporean perspectives in vernacular languages may offer additional viewpoints. Right-wing critical sources opposing the PAP were not prominently represented in available search results.
Sources
- Asia Society Policy Institute: Singapore's Ruling Party Wins, but the Opposition Is Here to Stay Centre
- Al Jazeera: Singapore's ruling party wins election in landslide Centre
- East Asia Forum: People's Action Party prevails in Singapore Centre
- The Online Citizen: Pritam Singh criticises GST hike, says votes for Workers' Party will force PAP to reconsider future actions Left
- US-ASEAN Business Council: Singapore General Election 2025 (GE2025): Political Landscape and Policy Continuity Right