Singaporeans will head to the polls on May 3, 2025, for a landmark general election that will test Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership amid increasing global economic uncertainty and domestic political shifts. This marks the first election under Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, ending decades of leadership under the influential Lee family. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP), in power since 1959, is expected to retain its majority, but with growing opposition strength and younger, more vocal voters, analysts say this may be the PAP’s toughest electoral battle to date.

Singapore, a small but wealthy island state deeply reliant on global trade, now finds itself vulnerable as economic volatility intensifies. With US President Donald Trump returning to office, new rounds of sweeping tariffs have disrupted global supply chains, causing ripples in Singapore’s export-driven economy. The Ministry of Trade and Industry downgraded the country’s 2025 GDP growth forecast from 1.0-3.0% to a sobering 0-2.0%, underscoring growing fears of stagnation.

In parliament, PM Wong issued a stark warning, declaring the end of "rules-based globalisation and free trade" and stressing that Singapore risked being "squeezed out, marginalised, and left behind." Wong, 52, is seeking a strong electoral mandate to implement policies that will protect Singapore’s economic interests and preserve its relevance on the global stage. Political observers like Eugene Tan, associate professor at the Singapore Management University (SMU), note that voter confidence in his ability to handle external threats will be pivotal.

In 2020, the Workers' Party (WP) made historic gains by securing 10 out of 93 parliamentary seats, up from four. This election cycle, voters will choose 97 MPs, with four new constituencies added following a boundary redraw—a move criticized by opposition groups as gerrymandering that favors the PAP. The WP, buoyed by past momentum, plans to field high-profile candidates such as Harvard-trained senior counsel Harpreet Singh, 59, who has become a notable voice advocating for political diversity and respect for dissent.

“We need to have a reset where we treat our critics, people with different ideas, people from outside the system, with more respect and not suspicion,” Singh said in a local podcast. Millennials and Gen Z voters, who are more open to alternative political views, are expected to play a significant role. Mustafa Izzuddin, political analyst with Solaris Strategies Singapore, noted that this demographic shift could lead to the emergence of a one-and-a-half party system, where PAP retains power but faces a stronger parliamentary check.

With economic uncertainty looming large, the political outcome remains unpredictable. Analysts are divided—while some expect voters to stick with the status quo in a “flight-to-safety” move, others recall the 2020 pandemic election, where the opposition still made notable gains. The bloc voting system, used in many constituencies, continues to pose challenges for smaller parties, as it favors larger, better-funded groups like the PAP. Fragmentation among opposition parties could further split votes, limiting their impact.

Ultimately, the question lies in whether voters will prioritize stability over change, or embrace a broader political spectrum to reflect diverse voices in policymaking. “The challenge is whether PM Wong can convince Singaporeans that the tariffs war is a significant threat, and that giving the ruling party a secure victory will ultimately benefit Singaporeans,” said Tan.

“The best governments are not the ones that have dominant control and are not challenged. The best governments are the ones that are pushed to be better.” As Singapore navigates this defining moment, the 2025 general election may not only determine the country’s political direction but also set the tone for how it faces future economic and global challenges.