Singapore PAP Wins GE2025 with 87 of 97 Seats, Workers Party Retains Opposition Role
Singapore held its 14th general election on May 3rd, 2025. The ruling People's Action Party, led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, won 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats and secured 65.57 percent of the popular vote, up from 61.23 percent in 2020. The opposition Workers Party retained all 10 of its elected seats and gained 2 additional non-constituency seats, bringing its total representation to 12. Voter turnout was 92.83 percent, the lowest since 1968. Despite public concerns over cost of living and inflation, voters appeared to favor the PAP's promise of stability amid global economic uncertainty and trade tensions. The election marked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first electoral contest since assuming office in May 2024, succeeding Lee Hsien Loong. Only two parties secured representation in parliament, as nine other opposition parties and two independent candidates lost their races.
Key facts
- PAP won 87 of 97 contested seats with 65.57% popular vote share, up 4.34 percentage points from 2020
- Workers Party retained 10 elected seats and gained 2 non-constituency member seats, bringing total to 12
- Voter turnout was 92.83%, the lowest since 1968 despite compulsory voting in Singapore
- This was Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first election as PAP leader after taking office in May 2024
- Record 31 women elected to parliament, up from 27 in 2020 election
- Only two parties won seats; nine opposition parties and two independent candidates failed to win representation
- Workers Party narrowly outperformed PAP in the 26 constituencies where it contested, averaging 50.1% vs PAP's 49.9%
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning and opposition-focused analysis highlights that despite the PAP's victory, the Workers Party narrowly outperformed the PAP overall in the 26 constituencies where it ran, averaging 50.1% of votes compared to the PAP's 49.9%, raising concerns about the effects of gerrymandering. Progressive critics emphasize that opposition parties advocated for structural changes including GST reductions, higher minimum wages, and housing policy reforms to address cost-of-living concerns, which were rejected by voters favoring the status quo.
Right-leaning coverage: Conservative and business stability perspectives view the PAP's strong mandate as essential for navigating global economic challenges and maintaining investor confidence. The emphasis is on the party's 60-year track record of delivering economic growth, low unemployment, and safety. This view prioritizes the risks of policy experimentation or structural fiscal changes that could undermine Singapore's competitive advantage and long-term reserves.
Limits of this briefing
Sources primarily reflect mainstream and business-focused perspectives. Limited primary commentary directly from left-leaning or more critical opposition voices was available in search results; most left-leaning analysis is filtered through centrist academic and policy sources. The question of electoral boundary review procedures and gerrymandering allegations appears in academic sources but lacks extensive coverage in mainstream media.
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 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
- Lowy Institute: What can we learn from the Singaporean election, where nobody lost? Centre