Singapore PAP wins landslide, secures 87 of 97 parliament seats
On May 3, 2025, Singapore held its general election, with the ruling People's Action Party decisively winning 87 of 97 contested seats and 65.57 percent of the popular vote — an increase from 61.23 percent in 2020. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong secured a strong mandate in his first election as party leader. The opposition Workers' Party retained its 10 seats and widened margins in constituencies it defended, finishing with 14.99 percent of the vote. Nine other opposition parties and two independent candidates won no seats. Voter turnout reached 92.83 percent. Key election themes included rising cost of living, housing affordability, and concerns about global economic uncertainty linked to US trade policies. Electoral boundary changes announced before the vote sparked debate over fairness, though the PAP denies gerrymandering allegations. The result maintains Singapore's one-party dominance while opposition voices remain marginal.
Key facts
- PAP won 87 of 97 seats with 65.57% of the popular vote, up from 61.23% in 2020
- Workers' Party secured 10 elected seats with 14.99% of the vote, gaining 2 seats from 2020
- Voter turnout was 92.83%, down 2.98 percentage points from the previous election
- Only two parties won parliamentary seats; nine other opposition parties and two independents lost all contests
- Election held May 3, 2025, marking PM Lawrence Wong's first election as party leader and PAP chief
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning critics and academics argue the PAP benefited from gerrymandering, with electoral boundary changes that dilute opposition strongholds and the GRC system making it difficult for smaller parties to compete. They contend the PAP won only 65 percent of votes but secured 90 percent of seats, highlighting structural inequities. Opposition parties emphasize their role asking difficult parliamentary questions and argue Singapore's system disadvantages challengers despite genuine voter concerns about economic hardship and governance.
Right-leaning coverage: Pro-PAP sources emphasize stable, experienced governance and the party's proven economic stewardship during crises. They highlight PM Wong's modern, progressive image distancing himself from the Lee family legacy, and frame the result as voter endorsement of continuity and institutional strength amid regional uncertainty. PAP officials defend electoral boundaries as population-driven, rejecting gerrymandering claims and asserting the independent committee functioned objectively.
Limits of this briefing
Most available sources are from May-June 2025 immediately following the election; longer-term policy impact assessments remain limited. Academic critiques of electoral boundaries and gerrymandering appear mainly in scholarly publications published later in 2025, while real-time reporting focused more on vote totals and campaign narratives.
Sources
- Asia Society Policy Institute: Singapore's Ruling Party Wins, but the Opposition Is Here to Stay Centre
- Bloomberg: Singapore's Opposition Claim 'Gerrymandering' Ahead of Election Centre
- ABC News Australia: People's Action Party wins yet another election by landslide in Singapore Centre
- Pacific Affairs (Academic Journal): Gerrymandering and its Effects in Singapore's 2025 General Elections Left
- The Asia Group: The Results of Singapore's General Election 2025 Right