Singapore Dissolves Parliament, Paving the Way for General Election Under New Leadership

Singapore has officially dissolved its parliament, launching the city-state into the formal process for its 14th General Election and marking a significant political milestone as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong seeks his first electoral mandate as head of government.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, acting on Wong’s advice, signed the dissolution order on April 15, with Nomination Day set for April 23 and the date for Polling Day to be announced soon.

This election will be the first since the People’s Action Party (PAP) completed its leadership transition from Lee Hsien Loong to Lawrence Wong, who took office as prime minister in May 2024 and as PAP secretary-general in December.

The PAP, which has governed Singapore since its independence in 1965, is widely expected to retain power, but Wong faces the challenge of consolidating his leadership and addressing evolving public concerns.

The upcoming contest will see 97 parliamentary seats up for grabs across 33 constituencies, reflecting recent changes to electoral boundaries due to population shifts and new housing developments.

The PAP has announced it will field more than 30 new candidates, the largest influx of fresh faces in recent history, as part of a broader effort to rejuvenate the party and appeal to a new generation of voters.

Wong has emphasized the importance of leadership renewal, stating, “If there is no renewal, we will feel the effects in the next 10 to 15 years. It is not just the PAP, but Singapore and Singaporeans that will pay the price”.

The 2020 general election, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, saw the PAP maintain a supermajority with 83 out of 93 seats but also experience its lowest share of the popular vote since independence, at just over 61%.

The opposition Workers’ Party made historic gains, increasing its parliamentary presence and securing a second Group Representation Constituency (GRC). This trend of growing opposition strength and shifting voter sentiment, particularly among younger Singaporeans, presents a new dynamic for the ruling party.

Key issues expected to shape the campaign include the rising cost of living, housing affordability, income inequality, and the government’s approach to free speech and civil liberties.

Wong has launched the “Forward Singapore” initiative, aiming to engage citizens in shaping a more inclusive and balanced national agenda for the future.

As Singapore prepares for this closely watched election, both the ruling and opposition parties are intensifying their campaigns. The outcome will not only determine the composition of the next parliament but also signal the public’s confidence in the new generation of leadership steering one of Asia’s most prosperous and tightly governed nations