Singapore dissolved its parliament on Tuesday, officially triggering a general election scheduled for May 3. The long-dominant People’s Action Party (PAP), led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, will aim to solidify its grip on power in the city-state.
The PAP, which has ruled since Singapore gained independence in 1965, is widely expected to win again. However, this will be Wong’s first election at the helm since taking over from former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in May last year. Wong hopes to secure a stronger mandate following the party’s disappointing performance in the 2020 elections, where public dissatisfaction dented its support.
Wong’s predecessor, Lee, stepped down after 20 years in office, ending the leadership of a political family dynasty that began with Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. Under the elder Lee, Singapore was transformed from a colonial port into a global financial hub.
In the 2020 election, held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the PAP retained a supermajority, winning 83 of 93 seats. However, it also faced its most significant electoral challenge yet, as the opposition boosted its presence from six to 10 seats—a record high. The PAP’s share of the popular vote dropped to 61%, near its historical low.
To court younger, more critical voters, Wong introduced the “Forward Singapore” initiative—an effort to involve citizens in shaping a more inclusive and forward-looking national vision. The PAP is also expected to introduce over 30 new candidates to renew its lineup.
In a recent Facebook post, Wong emphasized the stakes, saying leadership matters during global economic turbulence, especially as the U.S. imposes new tariffs affecting global trade.
“The real contest isn’t between political parties, it’s Singapore versus the world,” he wrote. “Our task is to keep Singapore strong, stable, and full of promise.”
Despite its economic success, Singapore faces growing challenges such as rising living costs, limited housing affordability, income inequality, and concerns over immigration. Critics also point to the PAP’s firm control over the media, limited free speech, and restrictive laws that target dissent. These issues have chipped away at the party’s longstanding dominance.