Singapore election tests People’s Action Party amid rising discontent

Singapore’s 2025 election becomes a key test for the ruling party as cost-of-living concerns and a stronger opposition reshape political expectations.

A sign for Singapore's general election is seen at a polling station in Singapore on May 3, 2025. Photo by Roslan Rahman/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

As Singapore heads to the polls this Saturday, the 2025 Singapore election is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the country’s long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). Once again, the city-state finds itself voting during a time of global uncertainty—much like the last general election five years ago, which was dominated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Today, the PAP is casting itself as the stabilizing force in the face of geopolitical turmoil sparked by a dramatic shift in global trade policies under U.S. President Donald Trump. While the outcome of the vote itself is not in doubt—the PAP has governed Singapore since 1959—this election is widely seen as a test of the party’s popularity and legitimacy in a more politically assertive landscape.

A historic hold on power faces modern dissatisfaction

The 2020 general election marked a turning point in Singapore’s political mood. Though the PAP retained its parliamentary majority, it recorded its second-worst showing since independence. The Workers’ Party, the country’s leading opposition force, made notable gains by capturing a record 10 seats in Parliament. This outcome signaled a growing appetite for a more competitive political environment among Singaporeans.

Now, in 2025, this trend appears to be intensifying. Political analysts widely agree that the opposition is gaining traction. Voter frustration has been mounting over a range of domestic issues, including the steep rise in living costs, tax hikes, and worsening housing affordability. At the heart of this discontent lies a widening gap between the country’s reputation as a wealthy financial hub and the lived experiences of its ordinary citizens.

While Singapore boasts one of the highest per capita incomes globally and more millionaires than London, many residents do not feel the prosperity. According to UBS, while average wealth has more than doubled in local currency since 2008, median wealth has declined by 1.8 percent—an indicator of growing inequality that the opposition has been quick to spotlight.

The Workers’ Party seizes the moment

Led by Pritam Singh, the Workers’ Party has struck a chord with voters eager for alternative voices in Parliament. Massive crowds have attended party rallies, and campaign merchandise has sold out. Singh, whose approval rating hit 71 percent in a recent Blackbox Research poll, has emphasized that his party is not aiming to form the government but to bring about a more balanced and accountable political system.

“When you have opposition in Parliament, your alternative voice is heard by the government,” Singh told supporters at the party’s opening rally. He continued, “We must be active participants in our democracy.”

Despite being found guilty in February of lying under oath to Parliament, Singh’s popularity appears unaffected, with his approval rating rising by seven percentage points since the previous quarter. This resilience suggests that voters are increasingly focused on the need for pluralism rather than perfection in opposition figures.

PAP defends its legacy under a new leader

For Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who assumed office last year following the retirement of Lee Hsien Loong, the election is his first as head of government. Wong is tasked with defending a legacy that spans more than six decades while charting a future in an increasingly complex geopolitical climate.

He has echoed long-standing PAP messaging: that only his party can ensure Singapore’s continued stability and prosperity. “Navigating the U.S.-China trade war and rising global tensions requires leaders with trusted relationships in both Washington and Beijing,” Wong said during a campaign appearance.

To address domestic dissatisfaction, the government has taken steps since 2020 to enhance social welfare. It expanded paternity leave, introduced retrenchment support, and ramped up allowances for job seekers. However, these efforts have been overshadowed by unpopular measures such as two increases in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which have exacerbated concerns about affordability.

Electoral process under scrutiny

Critics of the PAP have accused the ruling party of maintaining structural advantages, particularly in how elections are conducted. The campaign period remains one of the shortest in the democratic world—just nine days—which the opposition says limits meaningful public engagement. There have also been complaints of gerrymandering after electoral boundaries were redrawn in several districts where opposition parties made gains in 2020.

The PAP has denied these allegations, maintaining that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee operates independently and that the short campaign period is a longstanding feature of Singapore’s political system.

Nonetheless, these issues have fed into a broader narrative that Singapore’s political playing field remains tilted in favor of the incumbents. The opposition argues that genuine political competition cannot flourish under such constraints.

Balancing global and domestic priorities

Amid the backdrop of the 2025 Singapore election is a tense global atmosphere. With Trump’s return to the White House and his aggressive reshaping of global trade norms, Singapore finds itself navigating choppy waters. As a nation deeply reliant on international trade, particularly with both the United States and China, Singapore’s economic future is tightly bound to diplomatic skill and foresight.

Wong and the PAP have framed their experience and international relationships as essential tools for protecting the city-state’s interests. But for many voters, the question is whether the same party that brought Singapore into the modern era can still address its evolving needs—especially as the social contract between the government and its people appears increasingly frayed.

An election with long-term implications

Though the PAP is almost certain to win, the size of its margin and the performance of the opposition will reveal much about the changing dynamics of Singapore’s political system. If the Workers’ Party or other opposition groups make further gains, it will serve as a clear message from the electorate: Singaporeans want not just stability, but also accountability and choice.

For a country accustomed to political continuity, the 2025 Singapore election could mark a significant step toward a more pluralistic democracy. The challenges ahead—ranging from economic inequality and housing affordability to external diplomatic tensions—will demand more than historical success. They will require adaptability, inclusivity, and a political system that reflects the full spectrum of Singaporean voices.

As voters head to the polls, they are not just choosing representatives. They are weighing the value of the past against the promise of a more diverse and responsive future. The results may not alter the government, but they could very well reshape the political climate of a nation that stands at the crossroads of continuity and change.