The right achieved a great victory in Singapore and reaffirms the PAP's supremacy.

The People's Action Party (PAP), led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, achieved a resounding victory in the general elections held last Saturday in Singapore, by securing 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats.

The opposition, led by the Workers' Party (WP), maintained its 10 seats won in 2020. This victory reaffirms PAP's dominance, which has governed the country since its independence in 1965, and strengthens Wong's position, who assumed office after Lee Hsien Loong's departure.

With approximately 66% of the popular vote, PAP improved its performance compared to the 61% obtained five years ago. For many analysts, these results reflect the citizens' confidence in the political and economic stability offered by PAP, even in the face of growing challenges like the rising cost of living, one of the electorate's main concerns.

Despite popular pressure for populist measures, such as reducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), PAP remained firm in its fiscal approach, reinforcing its message of responsible governance.

To mitigate the effects of inflation, Wong's government implemented social assistance aimed at low-income sectors, such as subsidies for food, public services, and eco-friendly appliances.

Additionally, nearly 1 billion dollars were allocated in new subsidies following a fiscal surplus of 4.9 billion in 2024. However, the magnitude of the surplus raised doubts among voters about the need to maintain the GST increase.

Economic management continues to be one of PAP's main assets. Singapore is considered a global financial center, with a per capita GDP that has grown from 500 dollars in 1965 to over 93,000 dollars in 2024.

Its public transportation system is exemplary, and its low crime rate generates a strong sense of citizen security. Nevertheless, life in the city-state is expensive, and the costs of housing and automobiles, the highest in the world, moderately affect citizens' pockets.

The elections were also marked by the debate over the electoral system and representation. The mixed system of single-member constituencies and group representation constituencies (GRC), requires voting for teams of candidates, one of whom must belong to an ethnic minority.

While it's clear that this mechanism ensures diversity, some critics see it as a way to introduce new PAP candidates more easily, diluting electoral competition.

Despite the criticisms, more than 2.63 million Singaporeans went to the polls in a process where voting is mandatory. One of the surprises was WP's decision not to contest a GRC, which allowed PAP to secure those five seats by "walkover," without the need for voting.

In Singapore politics, a "walkover" occurs when a political party wins a constituency unopposed, meaning no other party presents candidates. This means no voting takes place, and the seats are automatically awarded to the competing party.

The new government led by Lawrence Wong represents the so-called 4G generation of leaders, who have the complex task of maintaining the effectiveness of the Singaporean model, while adapting to a more demanding and educated citizenry.

Wong, 52 years old, has been well-regarded for his management as co-chair of the COVID-19 committee, but now faces the challenge of convincing the population that he can lead as effectively as his predecessors, especially in a post-Lee Kuan Yew era, the founder of the modern nation.

The country, although successful economically and recognized for its low corruption, has also shown great performance in the security field. Public protests require special permits, and they can lead to sanctions, as happened with an activist who displayed a banner with a smiley face.

In response to the results, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, congratulated Singapore and reaffirmed the strategic alliance between both countries, highlighting the importance of their collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.