Singapore will hold its next general election on May 3, marking the first major political challenge for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong since taking office in 2024.
The nine-day campaign period is expected to focus on pressing national issues including rising living costs, housing affordability, job security, and healthcare demands in Asia’s fastest-aging society. With 2.75 million compulsory voters set to cast ballots, this election represents a crucial moment for both the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and opposition forces.
PAP Seeks Stronger Mandate After 2020 Setback
The dominant People’s Action Party, which has governed Singapore continuously since 1959, aims to improve upon its 2020 performance when it secured 83 of 93 parliamentary seats.
While still commanding significant support according to recent YouGov polls (63% of decided voters), the PAP faces pressure to regain ground after the opposition Workers’ Party’s historic 10-seat gain in the last election. This year, 97 seats are contested under Singapore’s unique electoral system.
Explaining Singapore’s Electoral Landscape and GRC System
Singapore employs a modified first-past-the-post system featuring Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), where teams of up to five MPs compete for larger districts.
Introduced in 1988 to ensure minority representation, the GRC system has drawn criticism from opposition parties who claim frequent boundary changes constitute gerrymandering.
Candidates must also post a S$13,500 deposit, recoverable only if they secure more than 12.5% of votes—a significant barrier for smaller parties.
Lawrence Wong’s Pre-Election Economic Measures
PM Wong’s February 2025 budget introduced targeted relief measures including tax rebates and sector-specific subsidies, widely interpreted as pre-election economic stimulus.
These “feel good” policies aim to address voter concerns about inflation and living standards—key issues that could influence swing voters in tight constituencies.
Despite the Workers’ Party’s 2020 breakthrough, opposition forces face structural disadvantages. The GRC system requires parties to field multiple qualified candidates per constituency—a challenge for resource-strapped opponents. Recent scandals involving PAP figures, including a senior minister’s 2023 corruption arrest, may however provide opposition groups with rare attack opportunities.
Since independence in 1965, Singapore has had only four prime ministers—all from the PAP. The transition from Lee Hsien Loong’s 20-year leadership to Lawrence Wong’s administration marks a generational shift for the city-state. Founding PM Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy continues to shape Singapore’s political culture, though the ever evolving voter expectations present new challenges for his party’s successors.
