Singapore PAP wins landslide with 87 seats in GE2025
Singapore held its general election on May 3, 2025, with the ruling People's Action Party winning a decisive mandate. The PAP secured 87 of 97 parliamentary seats and 65.57 percent of the vote, up from 61.24 percent in 2020. The main opposition Workers' Party retained all 10 of its elected seats, maintaining its position as Singapore's primary opposition force. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's party achieved its best result since 2011, extending its unbroken rule since independence. The election saw high voter turnout at 92.47 percent, though this was a record low from previous elections. Cost of living emerged as a dominant campaign issue, with both ruling and opposition parties addressing inflation, housing, and wage concerns. Smaller opposition parties failed to gain representation, with only the PAP and Workers' Party winning seats in parliament.
Key facts
- PAP won 87 of 97 seats with 65.57 percent of the vote, up from 61.24 percent in 2020
- Workers' Party retained all 10 elected seats and secured 2 additional non-constituency member seats
- Voter turnout was 92.47 percent, the lowest on record for Singapore elections
- Cost of living was cited as the primary voter concern by 72 percent of surveyed Singaporeans
- Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first election as PAP leader occurred on May 3, 2025
- Record 211 candidates contested, including 53 women, the highest female candidate participation in Singapore history
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Opposition parties emphasized the challenges facing ordinary Singaporeans amid rising living costs, inflation, and housing affordability issues. The Workers' Party highlighted the need for alternative voices in parliament and advocated for policies addressing cost-of-living pressures, GST reduction, and stronger social support. Opposition leaders framed the election as an opportunity for parliamentary diversity and democratic participation despite the PAP's dominant position.
Right-leaning coverage: Pro-government commentary highlighted the PAP's decisive mandate as validating Wong's leadership and signaling voter confidence in experienced governance during economic challenges. Analysis noted that some PAP victories came with narrower-than-expected margins, emphasizing the party's need to remain attentive to constituent concerns. The fragmentation of smaller opposition parties was viewed as reinforcing the PAP's strategic discipline and coherent vision for Singapore.
Limits of this briefing
Singapore's media environment has limited independent opposition coverage, and the campaign period is constitutionally constrained to nine days, which may advantage the resource-rich ruling party. Analysts noted that rising cost-of-living concerns among voters did not translate into opposition gains, suggesting structural factors beyond campaign messaging influence electoral outcomes.
Sources
- Edelman: Singapore's 2025 General Election: Resounding Mandate & Continuity Secured Centre
- Asia Society Policy Institute: Singapore's Ruling Party Wins, but the Opposition Is Here to Stay Centre
- The Online Citizen: Workers' Party reflects on GE2025 results, says opposition challenges remain real Left
- Modern Diplomacy: The Courage to Hope: Reclaiming the Heart of Singaporean Politics Left
- Singapore News Today: Singapore GE2025 PAP narrow wins analysis Right