Background on the Ruling Party and Key Candidates
The People’s Action Party (PAP), led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, secured a landslide victory in Singapore’s general elections. The PAP obtained 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats, enabling them to form a majority government. Around 2.76 million eligible voters were called to cast their ballots, with a turnout of 65.6%.
Lawrence Wong, 52, has been in office since May 2024 and sought a strong mandate from these elections amidst an uncertain global economic situation. His leadership marks the beginning of a new era following decades of dominance by the influential Lee family.
Economic Challenges and Opposition Growth
Wong faced a strengthened opposition, which criticized the government for failing to curb inflation and housing prices. The opposition, led by the Workers’ Party, has gradually gained support and seats without achieving a majority.
Recently, Minister of Trade Gan Kim Yong announced that the country “cannot rule out” a recession in 2025 due to uncertainties caused by US tariffs. In April, Wong called for “significant restructuring” of the city-state’s economy to withstand the “new storm” resulting from the trade war initiated by former US President Donald Trump.
Younger Voters and Changing Demands
The ruling party faced a more robust opposition, as younger voters demanded their concerns be heard. Although the PAP still enjoys a wide majority, it has lost some support in recent elections as young people push for their demands to be addressed.
In the 2020 elections, the Workers’ Party secured ten out of ninety-three seats contested, compared to four in the previous electoral cycle. Political analyst P. N. Balji predicted that young voters would be “a factor in some constituencies,” being more open to listening to both parties and making an informed decision.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who won the Singapore general elections? The People’s Action Party (PAP) led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong won a landslide victory, securing 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats.
- What challenges does Prime Minister Wong face? Wong faces economic uncertainties, including the possibility of a recession in 2025 due to US tariffs and the need for significant economic restructuring to cope with a trade war initiated by former US President Donald Trump.
- How has the opposition grown in Singapore? The Workers’ Party, led by opposition leader Perry Lim, has gradually gained support and seats without achieving a majority. They secured ten out of ninety-three seats in the 2024 elections, up from four in the previous cycle.
- What are the concerns of younger voters in Singapore? Younger voters have been pushing for their demands to be heard, with issues such as affordable housing and rising living costs at the forefront of their concerns.
