Overview

• President Tharman Shanmugaratnam dissolved Singapore's Parliament on April 15, officially initiating the general election process with Nomination Day set for April 23.
• This marks Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first election as PAP leader, following his succession of Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024.
• The ruling PAP will contest all 97 seats and is introducing over 30 new candidates to refresh its slate, signaling a strategy to address voter concerns and opposition gains.
• Key voter issues include rising living costs, housing affordability, and job security, compounded by global economic instability and U.S.-China trade tensions.
• Recent political scandals involving both ruling and opposition parties could influence voter sentiment as Singaporeans decide on leadership for the years ahead.