Singapore: Singaporeans have delivered a strong mandate to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, reaffirming their trust in the long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), which secured 87 of 97 parliamentary seats in Saturday’s general election.
Facing his first electoral test as premier, Wong led the PAP to its 14th consecutive victory, extending the party’s unbroken rule since independence in 1965. The PAP garnered 65.57 percent of the valid votes, up from 61.24 percent in 2020, reflecting broad public endorsement of its governance and Wong’s steady leadership during uncertain times.
“This result is a clear and strong mandate from Singaporeans. It reflects the people’s trust, their desire for stability, and their belief that the PAP remains best positioned to lead Singapore through challenging times,” Wong said during a post-election press conference.
Wong, 52, took office in May 2024, succeeding Lee Hsien Loong in the country’s first leadership handover in two decades. The campaign was defined by pressing domestic issues such as rising costs, housing affordability, and immigration concerns, alongside external threats including US-imposed tariffs and slowing global growth.
Singaporeans have given the @PAPSingapore a clear and strong mandate to govern. I am humbled by and grateful for the faith you have placed in me and my team. pic.twitter.com/wApxFUmegY
— Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) May 3, 2025
Singapore’s manufacturing sector, a vital economic engine, slipped into recession in April, with the purchasing managers’ index dropping to 49.6, ending 19 consecutive months of expansion.
Despite these challenges, voters rallied behind Wong’s message of continuity and confidence. Wong pledged to form his new Cabinet promptly and to prioritize cost-of-living concerns in the next term.
The Workers’ Party (WP), Singapore’s most prominent opposition party, retained its 10 parliamentary seats. WP leader Pritam Singh acknowledged the steep challenges faced by opposition parties but expressed confidence in the quality of candidates and prospects.
Out of 2.43 million total votes cast across 1,240 polling stations, PAP candidates contested all 92 seats, while WP fielded candidates in 26. Other parties in the fray included the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), and several smaller political groups.
