Polling Begins for Singapore's General Election Amid Economic Uncertainty

Polling has commenced in Singapore for the much-anticipated general election, drawing attention from both local and international observers. Approximately 2.8 million eligible voters are participating in the election to select 97 members of parliament in the Southeast Asian nation. This election is viewed as a crucial test for the current Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, and his long-standing party, the People's Action Party (PAP).

The voting began at 8 AM local time, providing voters a 12-hour window to cast their ballots. The first results are expected to be announced around midnight. Prime Minister Wong, who assumed office last year from Lee Hsien Loong, the son of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, is navigating a challenging political landscape exacerbated by recent economic pressures.

In light of impending tariffs from the United States, Wong has emphasized the importance of securing a strong mandate to guide the country through these uncertain economic times. Following his call for elections, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam formally dissolved parliament in mid-April, paving the way for this electoral process.

While the PAP holds a significant majority in parliament, the 2020 elections saw the opposition Workers' Party (WP) gain considerable ground, winning ten out of 93 seats--an increase of six seats from previous elections. Observers note that younger voters are increasingly leaning towards supporting a more robust opposition against the PAP, which has been in power since 1959.

Despite this trend, analysts believe that the PAP may retain its parliamentary majority due to the backdrop of rising dissatisfaction over living costs and the looming threat of US tariffs. The election takes place against the broader context of a global trade conflict ignited by former President Donald Trump, which has had significant implications for trade-dependent nations like Singapore.

Recently, Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry revised its growth forecast for 2025 from a range of one to three percent down to between zero and two percent, reflecting the economic challenges ahead. Wong has remarked to parliament that the era of rules-based globalization and free trade appears to be coming to an end, suggesting a shift in the economic landscape that could affect Singapore's future policies and international relations.