Singapore sets general election for May 3, dissolves parliament

Singapore will hold its next general election on May 3, following the dissolution of Parliament by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on April 15.

The country’s Elections Department has designated April 23 as Nomination Day, when aspiring candidates will submit their papers, Caliber.Az reports, citing CNBC.

The campaign period will last nine days, followed by a “cooling-off day” on May 2, ahead of polling.

This will be Singapore’s 14th general election since gaining independence in 1965, and the first under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong after his two-decade tenure.

According to local outlet CNA, the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), which has governed since independence, is expected to face contests in all 97 parliamentary seats. Key voter concerns include inflation, employment, and the overall cost of living, as highlighted in a January survey.

In the 2020 general election, the PAP secured 61.24% of the vote and 83 out of 93 seats.

The upcoming election also comes amid global economic uncertainty. Prime Minister Wong recently criticized the United States for imposing tariffs, calling the move “very disappointing” in light of longstanding bilateral ties.

Domestically, Singapore eased its monetary policy for the second time on April 14 as the government flagged the possibility of zero economic growth this year. The country posted a weaker-than-expected 3.8% GDP growth in the first quarter.

By Khagan Isayev