People’s Action Party wins Singapore election with increased majority

Singapore’s ruling PAP secures 87 out of 97 seats, affirming voter trust in Lawrence Wong amid global trade uncertainty.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, also secretary general of the People's Action Party (PAP), attends an election night event in Singapore, early on May 4, 2025. Photo by Ore Huiying/Bloomberg

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Singapore’s long-dominant People’s Action Party (PAP) has secured a commanding victory in the 2025 general election, winning its 16th consecutive term in power and strengthening its hold on parliament amid mounting global uncertainty. The People’s Action Party wins the Singapore election by claiming 87 of 97 seats in parliament, including five uncontested constituencies, further consolidating its rule in one of the world’s most trade-reliant economies.

The outcome marks the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who assumed office a year ago following the retirement of Lee Hsien Loong. Under Wong’s leadership, the PAP increased its share of the popular vote to 66%, up from 61% in 2020. This represents the party’s highest vote share in a decade and reflects a clear mandate from the electorate. The decisive win comes at a time of heightened geopolitical instability, with Singaporeans appearing to favor continuity and stability over change.

Strong mandate for Lawrence Wong

In a speech delivered at 3 a.m. local time, a visibly emotional Wong hailed the results as a strong endorsement of his leadership and the PAP’s direction for Singapore’s future. “The results will put Singapore in a better position to face this turbulent world,” he said, describing the outcome as a “clear signal of trust, stability, and confidence” from the public.

The prime minister’s message echoed throughout the campaign, in which he urged voters to back steady hands in uncertain times. Wong, aged 52, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong in 2024 and has sought to transition Singapore’s leadership beyond the Lee family, which has dominated the country’s politics since its independence from Britain in 1965.

Economic anxiety and global trade

The election took place against a backdrop of rising global trade tensions, inflationary pressures, and fears of economic slowdown. Singapore, whose trade volumes are more than three times its gross domestic product, is highly sensitive to disruptions in global supply chains. The ongoing U.S.-China tariff standoff, largely triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies, has created headwinds for the export-driven city-state.

Earlier this year, Singapore downgraded its economic growth forecast from 1-3% to 0-2% amid concerns over a potential recession. Soaring import prices have also contributed to the rising cost of living for many Singaporeans, putting economic management at the heart of this year’s vote.

Despite these challenges, the People’s Action Party wins the Singapore election by offering a platform grounded in stability, prudent governance, and long-term planning. Many voters appeared to accept that while hardships remain, the PAP remains best equipped to navigate the country through external shocks.

High turnout and historic continuity

Over 92% of Singapore’s 2.6 million registered voters participated in the election, according to the elections department — a slight dip from the record 96% turnout in 2020 but still reflecting strong civic engagement in the island nation. Since achieving self-governance in 1959, the PAP has never lost a general election, making this its 16th consecutive victory and maintaining its reputation as one of the world’s most electorally dominant parties.

For Wong, the election was not only a vote of confidence but also a chance to consolidate his political standing and begin shaping his legacy independent of the Lee dynasty. His predecessor, Lee Hsien Loong — the son of modern Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew — governed for two decades and continues to serve in an advisory capacity.

Opposition holds steady

The Workers’ party, Singapore’s main opposition group, retained its previous tally of 10 seats. It will also gain two additional non-constituency seats under Singapore’s electoral rules, which grant representation to the best-performing losing candidates. Party leader Pritam Singh, who has faced legal challenges including a recent parliamentary ethics ruling, acknowledged the uphill battle the opposition faced.

“It was a hard-fought campaign. The slate is wiped clean, we start work again tomorrow, and we go again,” Singh told supporters.

Although the Workers’ party did not gain ground, its steady performance indicates that a segment of the population remains invested in providing a counterbalance to PAP dominance. Still, with PAP sweeping most contested constituencies and maintaining a supermajority, it faces limited legislative resistance.

International reactions and diplomatic signals

Congratulations poured in from global leaders following the announcement that the People’s Action Party wins the Singapore election. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the PAP’s enduring leadership and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to its Southeast Asian ally. “For nearly 60 years, the United States and Singapore have shared a strong and enduring strategic partnership and a commitment to a secure, free, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Rubio said in a statement.

Singapore’s role as a neutral trade and financial hub between East and West makes its internal political stability a matter of regional and international interest. As Washington and Beijing continue to clash over trade, technology, and military influence, Singapore’s approach of pragmatic neutrality has made it an essential node in the Indo-Pacific balance.

A nation preparing for the future

While the People’s Action Party wins the Singapore election with a strengthened hand, major challenges lie ahead for the new government. Inflation, housing affordability, and job security remain persistent concerns for residents. The government will also need to address growing calls for greater political transparency and responsiveness, particularly from younger and more politically engaged citizens.

Still, the 2025 general election outcome suggests that Singaporeans, faced with a volatile external environment, are more willing to support the status quo than take risks with alternative leadership. The increased vote share under Lawrence Wong may mark the beginning of a new chapter in PAP dominance — one less defined by the legacy of the Lee family and more shaped by technocratic adaptation in a changing world.

As the country looks ahead, the reaffirmation of PAP leadership sends a message not just to domestic constituents but also to global markets and foreign allies: Singapore remains stable, pragmatic, and open for business — even in the most uncertain of times.