Singapore PAP wins landslide GE2025, securing 87 of 97 seats with 65.57 percent vote
Singapore held its general election on May 3, 2025, resulting in a strong victory for the ruling People's Action Party under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The PAP won 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats and secured 65.57 percent of the popular vote, up from 61.23 percent in 2020. This was Wong's first election as party leader, marking his test as head of government. The opposition Workers' Party retained its 10 seats and performed well in constituencies it contested, widening its winning margins. Voter concerns centered on rising cost of living, employment, and housing affordability amid global economic uncertainty and US-China trade tensions. The election reinforces Singapore's political stability and continuity in economic policy, though observers note growing public desire for stronger parliamentary opposition.
Key facts
- PAP won 87 of 97 seats in Parliament with 65.57% of the popular vote on May 3, 2025
- Workers' Party retained 10 seats and improved its performance in contested constituencies
- This was Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first general election as PAP leader
- Rising cost of living, employment, and housing were top voter concerns
- Record 211 candidates contested, including 53 women candidates
- PAP vote share increased from 61.23% in 2020 to 65.57% in 2025
- Only PAP and Workers' Party won parliamentary seats; nine opposition parties won none
- Electoral turnout reached 82 percent by 5pm on election day
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Progressive-leaning commentary highlights concerns about gerrymandering and structural barriers limiting opposition competitiveness, noting the electoral system concentrates PAP power despite opposition parties polling significant vote shares. Left-oriented sources emphasize voters' desire for stronger opposition voices to provide parliamentary checks and accountability, and point to the opposition's improved performance as evidence of growing appetite for alternative perspectives.
Right-leaning coverage: Conservative and business-oriented outlets emphasize the PAP's decisive mandate as necessary for economic stability and effective governance during challenging times. Right-leaning perspectives defend the necessity of strong single-party rule for trade-dependent Singapore's competitiveness, and caution that coalition government or diluted leadership could create policy instability. These sources characterize the landslide as voter endorsement of the PAP's technocratic model.
Limits of this briefing
Sources examined primarily reflect perspectives from centrist, international business, and analytical outlets. Direct coverage from explicitly left-wing or right-wing Singapore political publications was limited in search results. Some concerns about electoral system structures like gerrymandering and group representation constituencies are debated, with government and opposition offering competing interpretations.
Sources
- US-ASEAN Business Council: Singapore General Election 2025 (GE2025): Political Landscape and Policy Continuity Centre
- East Asia Forum: People's Action Party prevails in Singapore Centre
- Asia Society: Singapore's Ruling Party Wins, but the Opposition Is Here to Stay Centre
- Foreign Policy: Why Singapore's Ruling Party Won Yet Again Centre
- Associated Press (via PBS): Singapore's long-ruling party wins another election landslide Centre