Singapore Election, A Test For PM Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE, SATURDAY - The general election in Singapore poses a test for the incumbent Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (52) from the People's Action Party. If re-elected, he must be able to improve public perception of the party, rectify the domestic political situation, and confront economic turbulence resulting from the global trade war.

Singapore will hold elections on Saturday (3/5/2025). Polling places will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 local time. The election results are expected to be announced tomorrow, Sunday (4/5/2025), in the early hours.

The People's Action Party (PAP) is expected to continue its rule, although its vote share declined in the 2020 elections. The PAP has been in power even since before Singapore's independence in 1965.

However, the election will still be under close scrutiny. The results of the voting will reveal whether the opposition is beginning to gain influence, considering the public's dissatisfaction with the government's tight control and high cost of living.

"This election is intended as a test of support for the leadership of PM Lawrence Wong, but it will also reflect the political changes in Singapore, namely the acceptance of alternative voices and the younger generation's perception of the PAP under younger leadership," said Southeast Asian political expert, Bridget Welsh.

Having taken office last year, Wong is the fourth prime minister of central Singapore. Previously, he was an economist educated in the United States and served as Minister of Finance. Wong assumed the position after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the son of Singapore's former founder Lee Kuan Yew, held the office for two decades.

In the eyes of the people, PAP is a symbol of stability and prosperity. However, under this party, there has been an increase in dissatisfaction among the public, particularly among young voters. One of the causes is the strict government control. Restrictions on freedom of speech have fostered growing antipathy towards the PAP's power.

Meanwhile, the cost of living is extremely high, making Singapore one of the most expensive cities in the world. Income inequality is widening. Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable as the population density rises.

As a result, the vote share of PAP plummeted to its lowest position, at 61 percent in the 2020 elections, down from 70 percent in 2015. Although PAP controls 83 out of 93 seats in parliament, the opposition managed to secure 10 seats, which is a record. If PAP's vote share or parliamentary seats decrease further, Wong will be adversely affected.

"The hope is not to fall below 60 percent of the people's votes. This is the threshold. If there is improvement, it will strengthen PM Wong and his extensive changes in PAP. If PM Wong is unsuccessful, there may be challenges to his leadership," said Welsh.

In Singapore, electoral participation is mandatory. Approximately 2.76 million citizens are eligible to vote. Residents have gone to schools and other polling places to cast their votes amid heavy rain.

About a quarter of voters are young people. Recently, they have increasingly embraced the discourse on enhancing diversity and political competition in Singapore. Young people flocked to attend the rallies of the Workers' Party (WP) led by Sylvia Lim during the campaign period.

"Younger voters will be a factor in several electoral districts. Unlike older voters, they are willing to listen to both sides and make informed decisions," said former news editor and veteran political observer, PN Balji.

The Opposition has condemned the government for increasing taxes on goods and services amid rising inflation. They argue that the government has not done enough to curb the rising cost of living.

The opposition also stated that their strong presence in parliament will create a more balanced political system and greater accountability. The current opposition leader is Pritam Singh from WP.

The opposition's efforts are not easy due to a lack of resources and support. Since PAP has been in power for a long time, the number of members is large, its influence in state institutions is strong, and it possesses significant resources.

A total of 46 percent of all candidates represent PAP in the contest for 97 seats. So far, PAP has secured five out of 97 parliamentary seats as they have no opponents. Meanwhile, WP, as the largest opposition party, is only competing for 26 seats.

In response to the PAP's predicament, Wong has sought to refresh the party. The PAP unveiled 32 new faces after several senior politicians resigned.

In addition, Wong engaged young voters through social media. He also promised to build a more balanced and inclusive Singapore.

Wong also reinforced the campaign regarding the consequences if PAP loses votes and seats. He warned that increasing opposition could weaken PAP in facing future economic challenges while emphasizing the importance of balancing relations between the United States and China.

Singapore is facing the threat of recession due to the increase in import tariffs from the US. The country is heavily dependent on international trade.

"So I say to all the citizens of Singapore, please consider carefully. This is not a gamble. This is your family, your future, our Singapore," said Wong at a rally a few days before the voting.

However, according to political analyst Nydia Ngiow, the tariff turmoil may not be a big factor for voters.

"Considering that elections in Singapore tend to focus on local issues, it is unlikely that geopolitics will shape voter decisions, unless Singaporeans feel direct and tangible impacts on the cost of living, job security, or the broader economy," he said. (AP/AFP/Reuters)