Singapore's PAP wins landslide with 65.57% vote share, maintains supermajority
Singapore held its general election on May 3, 2025, with the People's Action Party winning a decisive victory. The PAP secured 87 of 97 parliamentary seats and increased its vote share to 65.57 percent, up from 61.2 percent in 2020. The Workers Party retained its 10 seats, confirming its position as the main opposition force. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took office a year earlier, received a strong mandate in his first election as party leader. The vote took place amid global economic uncertainty and cost-of-living concerns among Singaporean voters. Voter turnout reached 92.47 percent, though this marked a historic low for the nation. The election result signals policy continuity and stability for the city-state's governance and economic direction in coming years.
Key facts
- PAP won 87 of 97 seats with 65.57% of the vote, up from 61.2% in 2020
- Workers Party retained all 10 of its seats and confirmed its role as main opposition
- Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first election as PAP leader resulted in a landslide victory
- Voter turnout was 92.47%, the lowest in Singapore's history since 1968
- 211 candidates contested across 97 seats, with 53 women candidates — the highest number ever
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning sources highlight the opposition's limited gains despite strong campaign efforts, noting that rising costs of living and calls for greater parliamentary diversity did not translate into opposition breakthrough. They emphasize younger voters' desire for alternative voices and scrutiny, while observing that online engagement and grassroots momentum failed to convert to meaningful electoral wins for opposition parties.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning and business-oriented sources characterize the PAP's expanded mandate as validation of experienced leadership and effective governance. They emphasize policy continuity, investor confidence, and Singapore's role as a stable, predictable regional actor. They note that the strong victory vindicates the PAP's approach and positions Singapore favorably for economic resilience amid trade tensions.
Limits of this briefing
Most sources focus on the government and PAP perspective; independent and grassroots opposition voices may be underrepresented. Limited coverage of younger voters' specific concerns or non-English-language media perspectives that may exist.
Sources
- CNBC: Singapore's Wong retains power as ruling People's Action Party boosts vote share in landslide victory Centre
- PBS NewsHour: Singapore's long-ruling party wins another election landslide in boost for new prime minister Centre
- South China Morning Post: Singapore election: how ruling PAP scored massive win, denying breakthrough for opposition Centre
- Asia Society: Singapore's Ruling Party Wins, but the Opposition Is Here to Stay Left
- Edelman: Singapore's 2025 General Election: Resounding Mandate & Continuity Secured Right