Singapore's Covid-19 general election: Political breakthrough amid a generational crisis?

Abstract

In the 13th general election since independence, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) – which has governed Singapore since 1959 – won 83 out of 93 seats, with a popular vote share of 61.24%, its third lowest on record. The Workers' Party (WP) won 10 seats, including an unprecedented two multi-member electoral constituencies, cementing its standing as the leading opposition party. Not only did this outcome fall short of the strong mandate the PAP had sought, it was arguably its worst electoral performance since independence as the PAP's control of elected seats dipped below 90% for the first time. In experiencing its worst health and economic crisis, which Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described as the 'crisis of a generation', voters were expected to adopt a 'flight to safety' mindset. This would, ordinarily, have worked to the PAP's advantage. Instead, there was a flight away from the status quo ante.