Singapore PAP wins landslide with 65.6% vote; Workers Party retains opposition seats
Singapore held its 2025 general election on May 3, with the ruling People's Action Party securing a decisive victory. The PAP won 87 of 97 parliamentary seats and 65.57 percent of the popular vote, up from 61.24 percent in 2020. This marks Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first electoral test since taking office in May 2024. The opposition Workers' Party retained all 10 of its seats and gained two additional non-constituency member positions, holding strong in its traditional strongholds of Aljunied and Sengkang group representation constituencies and Hougang single member constituency. Voter turnout reached 92.83 percent, the lowest since 1968. The election occurred against a backdrop of public concern about rising living costs, housing affordability, and job security, though analysts noted Singaporeans voted for political stability amid global economic uncertainty and trade tensions.
Key facts
- PAP won 87 of 97 seats and 65.57 percent of popular vote in May 3, 2025 election
- Workers' Party retained all 10 seats it held previously and gained 2 non-constituency member positions
- PAP vote share increased 4.35 percentage points from 61.24 percent in 2020
- Voter turnout was 92.83 percent, the lowest since 1968
- Prime Minister Lawrence Wong won his first general election as PAP leader and head of fourth-generation leadership team
- Cost of living, housing affordability, and GST hikes were dominant campaign issues
- No other opposition parties won seats; 211 candidates competed including record 53 women
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning and progressive commentators highlight that despite global economic pressures, Singaporeans expressed desire for alternative voices and more robust parliamentary debate, with opposition candidates gaining over 40 percent of votes even in constituencies they lost. They emphasize that Workers' Party leader Pritam Singh's stated goal of opposition controlling one-third of parliament reflects a burgeoning democratic appetite for checks on PAP power, while critics note PAP's GST hikes and housing policies have worsened cost-of-living pressures.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning and pro-business sources emphasize that the strong PAP mandate delivers policy continuity and investor confidence in Singapore's technocratic leadership, digital transformation agenda, and economic model. They highlight Wong's background in finance reassures multinational firms with long-term investment horizons. Some conservative observers note that opposition appeals to costly social programs and reduced immigration controls could weaken Singapore's competitiveness, and frame the PAP victory as voters rejecting such 'tempting proposals' that could hurt growth.
Limits of this briefing
Most coverage comes from centrist and pro-government sources; left-leaning critical perspectives on electoral boundaries and political system constraints are present but limited. Regional geopolitical context (U.S.-China trade tensions, Indonesia oil redirect) shapes economic narrative but receives less emphasis in most analyses.
Sources
- Asia Society Policy Institute: Singapore's Ruling Party Wins, but the Opposition Is Here to Stay Centre
- The Diplomat: Singapore's PAP Scores Decisive Victory in General Election Centre
- China Briefing: Singapore's 2025 Election: Signals for Foreign Investors Right
- Pandan Brief: Singapore's democratic growing pains Left
- PBS NewsHour: Singapore's long-ruling party wins another election landslide in boost for new prime minister Centre