In a striking display of electoral strength, Singapore’s long-dominant People’s Action Party (PAP) has clinched a landslide victory in the nation’s general election, reaffirming its political dominance and delivering Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a decisive mandate to govern.
Early official results confirmed that PAP had surpassed the crucial 49-seat threshold, securing a majority in the city-state’s 97-seat parliament. Sample counts earlier indicated that the party had won all but 10 seats—underscoring a continuing legacy of control by a political organization that has shaped Singapore’s economic trajectory for decades.
“We are grateful once again for your strong mandate, and we will honour it,” said a visibly elated Wong, addressing supporters at Yio Chu Kang stadium following his own ward win.
This election marked Wong’s first major test as the nation’s leader, following his recent succession of Lee Hsien Loong—son of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew. Wong’s leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has earned widespread public support. Still, the presence of a revitalized opposition and growing economic anxieties cast the election in a far more competitive light.
Wong has consistently warned of external threats to Singapore’s trade-reliant economy, particularly in light of proposed U.S. tariffs under former President Donald Trump. These external pressures, Wong argued, necessitate resilience and a proactive restructuring of national economic strategies.
Despite its unshaken political supremacy, the PAP entered the campaign with several controversies shadowing its image. These included a high-profile corruption case involving former Transport Minister S Iswaran, the resignation of parliamentary figures over personal conduct, and a highly publicized family dispute between the Lee siblings—one of whom now backs the opposition from political asylum in the UK.
Yet the electorate, while increasingly vocal and diverse, largely upheld the status quo. Political observer PN Balji noted, “The intense campaigning by PM Lawrence Wong and former PM Lee Hsien Loong in the hot seats must have helped a lot—and the fear of Trump’s tariffs must have worried voters as well.”
Singapore’s largest opposition group, the Workers’ Party (WP), had hoped to capitalize on its momentum from 2020 when it gained a historic 10 seats. With a charismatic lineup and a campaign centered on cost-of-living concerns, the WP drew considerable crowds but failed to convert these into significant gains.
Still, a shifting demographic—especially among younger voters—suggests growing appetite for political plurality. “Whether or not they get elected, I hope we see and hear more of them,” commented 40-year-old voter Shi’ai Liang, reflecting this cautious optimism for greater representation.
With the PAP once again firmly at the helm, Wong’s administration faces the dual challenge of upholding economic stability and responding to a society in gradual evolution. The landslide victory offers political security—but expectations for renewal and responsiveness are mounting.
