ruling People’s Action Party was on course to win another sweeping victory in Saturday’s general elections.
The PAP has governed the wealthy city-state since before the country became independent from in 1965.
According to an official sample vote count, the PAP is poised to win 87 seats in Parliament, while the opposition Workers Party is slated to keep its 10 seats.
While not conclusive, sample counts have reflected final results in previous polls. Final results are expected later on Saturday.
The projected vote count had a 4% margin of error, the election commission said.
Strong showing for PAP a boon for PM Wong
The projected result represents an improvement for the PAP compared to the last general election in 2020, when it secured 83 seats.
It also strengthens the mandate of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, 52, who was facing his first test at the ballot box since taking office last year.
While the long-ruling PAP was all but certain to remain in power, a younger, more vocal electorate has challenged its previously unchecked dominance.
Ahead of the polls, attention had been focused on whether the opposition would be able to build on the unprecedented gains it made in the previous election five years ago.
What was at stake?
Singapore, like many Asian countries, faces the prospect of on its exports to the United States.
US President has imposed a 10% tariff on Singapore-made goods, currently paused for 90 days.
As a major Asian trade hub, Singapore would also be severely impacted by any downturn in global trade, in particular exports from China to the US, which often transit in the tiny city-state.
Wong’s government has warned of recession if Singapore becomes collateral damage in the worsening trade war.
Living costs and housing availability were chief among voters’ concerns in Singapore, one of the world’s most expensive cities.
During campaigning, WP candidates said the government has failed to tackle the cost of living crisis and that more opposition lawmakers are needed so that the PAP is not given a “blank cheque.”
The PAP says it has spent billions of dollars to help citizens cope with rising costs, including via cash handouts and grocery vouchers.
What is the People’s Action Party?
The People’s Action Party has won every election since the Asian financial hub was expelled from Malaysia in 1965. While the party steered the island to prosperity, it has also been accused of using an iron fist to suppress dissent.
Known for its clean and effective governance, the PAP saw its share of popular support slip to a near-record low of 61%, at the last election, down from nearly 70% in 2015.
The opposition had acknowledged it cannot unseat the PAP — the WP was fielding 26 candidates — but had appealed to voters to give it a mandate to be able to give a platform to alternative voices, apply greater scrutiny to the PAP and trigger more robust debate in Parliament.
Who is Lawrence Wong?
Popular after leading Singapore’s COVID task force, Wong became the Asian financial hub’s fourth prime minister last year.
He took over at the end of the two-decade premiership of Lee Hsien Loong, the son of former leader , the founder of modern Singapore.
The late Lee built the former colonial backwater into one of the world’s richest nations during 31 years in office.
Wong has repeatedly said he needed a strong mandate to navigate Singapore through economic uncertainty.
“If the PAP has a weakened mandate, you can be sure there will be people tempted to push us around. It will be harder for us to advance Singapore’s interest. But with a clear mandate from you, my team and I can speak up for Singapore confidently,” Wong said while campaigning this week.
Some 2.75 million voters were eligible to elect 97 members of parliament. Voting is compulsory in Singapore.
Polls closed at 8 p.m. local time (1200 UTC/GMT).
Edited by: Rana Taha and Zac Crellin
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