Singapore announces general election on May 3, dissolves parliament

Singapore is set to hold elections on May 3 after President Tharman Shanmugaratnam dissolved the parliament on Tuesday. Nomination Day is scheduled for April 23, with candidates required to file their election papers on that day. This will be the 14th general election for Singapore and the first under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong in leading the government since 2004. The ruling People’s Action Party is anticipated to face challenges for all 97 parliamentary seats, with voter concerns focused on living costs, employment, and job security. The PAP has governed Singapore since its independence in 1965 and won 61.24% of the vote in the last general election in 2020. The election occurs amidst global tension, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs. Singapore recently adjusted its monetary policy to counter zero growth prospects this year after reporting lower-than-expected GDP growth of 3.8% in the first quarter.