Singapore Parliament Dissolved as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong Calls May 3 Election to Strengthen PAP Mandate

Singapore’s parliament was officially dissolved on Tuesday, clearing the path for general elections set to take place on May 3. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will lead the long-dominant People’s Action Party (PAP) into the polls, seeking to solidify the party’s control as he contests his first election as party chief.

The PAP, which has ruled Singapore since its independence in 1965, is widely expected to retain power. However, the upcoming vote represents a critical test for Wong, who was sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister in May of the previous year. He took over from Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped down after two decades in office, bringing an end to the political era dominated by the Lee family. Lee Hsien Loong is the son of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding leader who transformed the country into one of the world’s wealthiest during his 31 years in power.

In a message shared on Facebook, Wong emphasized the importance of the upcoming election, citing global instability and the need for Singapore to adapt to changing international conditions. “We are witnessing profound changes in the world. It is becoming more uncertain, unsettled and even unstable,” he wrote. “The global conditions that enabled Singapore’s success over the past decades may no longer hold. That is why I have called this General Election.” Wong called on Singaporeans to choose “the team to lead our nation.”

In the 2020 general elections, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PAP retained a supermajority with 83 of 93 parliamentary seats. However, the party saw a decline in popular support, with its vote share falling to 61%, near a record low. The opposition also increased its representation from six to ten seats—its highest ever.

Determined to improve the PAP’s standing, Wong has made efforts to appeal to younger and more disenchanted voters. He introduced the “Forward Singapore” initiative, a policy platform aimed at developing a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant national agenda shaped by citizen input. The party is also refreshing its slate by fielding more than 30 new candidates in the upcoming election.

Wong has underlined the importance of strong leadership in navigating the nation through uncertain times, particularly in light of global economic challenges and protectionist policies such as U.S. tariffs. “Who you have in the cockpit matters,” he warned, stressing that the real contest is “not between political parties,” but “Singapore vs the world.” He added, “Our mission ... is clear: to keep our nation a shining beacon of stability, progress and hope.”

Despite its international success and prosperity, Singapore faces internal challenges that have eroded some of the PAP’s traditional support. Rising income inequality, unaffordable housing, immigration-related overcrowding, and restrictions on civil liberties, including free speech, have stirred dissatisfaction among segments of the population. Critics have also voiced concerns over the government’s firm control of media and the continued use of repressive laws against dissent.

The May 3 election will not only decide the makeup of Singapore’s next parliament but will also serve as a litmus test for Wong’s leadership and the PAP’s ability to evolve in response to shifting public sentiment.