PAP wins landslide in Singapore's 2025 election with 65.57% vote share
Singapore held its general election on May 3, 2025, with the People's Action Party securing a decisive victory. The PAP won 87 of 97 parliamentary seats and increased its national vote share to 65.57 percent, up from 61.23 percent in the 2020 election. The Workers Party, the main opposition, retained its 10 seats but failed to expand into new constituencies. Voter turnout was 92.83 percent, the lowest since 1968. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first general election as PAP leader was framed around economic stability amid global uncertainty, particularly concerns about trade tensions and the cost of living. The election featured a record 211 candidates, including a record 53 women. Despite concerns about inflation and housing costs, voters favored the PAP's message of continuity and experienced governance over opposition calls for greater parliamentary checks and balances.
Key facts
- PAP secured 87 of 97 seats with 65.57% vote share, up from 61.23% in 2020
- Workers Party retained 10 seats but gained 2 additional NCMP seats; no other party won representation
- Voter turnout was 92.83%, the lowest since 1968
- Record 211 candidates ran, including 53 women
- Primary election issues were cost of living, employment, housing, and global economic uncertainty
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning and progressive analysts highlight structural barriers to opposition success, including concerns about gerrymandering through electoral boundary redrawing and the entrenching effect of the Group Representation Constituency system. They also note the PAP's use of fear-based messaging around global economic uncertainty to consolidate support, while pointing to rising inequality and cost-of-living pressures that remain unaddressed.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning business and conservative outlets frame the result as vindication of the PAP's economic and security strategy. They emphasize the parallel with other democracies backing incumbents during global turbulence, celebrate policy continuity under Wong's leadership, and view the result as endorsement of strong governance, fiscal discipline, and Singapore's pro-business approach.
Limits of this briefing
Most international sources accessed reflect centrist to right-leaning business perspectives. Left-wing or progressive opposition viewpoints are represented primarily through brief quotes from analysts rather than opposition party statements or dedicated left-leaning news outlets. Singapore's media environment constrains diversity of political perspectives in mainstream reporting.
Sources
- East Asia Forum: People's Action Party prevails in Singapore Centre
- South China Morning Post: Singapore election: how ruling PAP scored massive win, denying breakthrough for opposition Centre
- Asia Society Policy Institute: Singapore's Ruling Party Wins, but the Opposition Is Here to Stay Centre
- Bower Group Asia: Singapore's Election 2025: Unexpected Landslide Victory Delivers a Clear Strong Mandate for the Ruling PAP Right
- ABC News: People's Action Party wins yet another election by landslide in Singapore Centre