Since independence in 1965, Singapore's oldest and largest political party, Pap, has ruled the city-state of history.
Speaking at a post-election press conference at PAP at 3 a.m. on Sunday, Huang said that Singaporeans have ruled the prosperous city-state as a “clear and powerful ruling task”.
Wong reiterated that the bigger race is not between political parties, but between Singapore and the challenges it faces, and that the election is held at a critical moment in the country when the world faces an economic slowdown and a fundamental shift in the international order.
“The results will put Singapore in a better position in this turbulent world…it's a clear signal of trust, stability and confidence in your government,” Wong said. “Singaporeans can also draw strength from it and look forward to our future with confidence,” the channel quoted Wong. He added that he felt “very modest and grateful” about the results and that the PAP will work harder on the task to ensure specific progress in Singapore.
Huang pointed out that many international media, investors and foreign governments are closely watching the election.
“It's a changing world – not only an economic slowdown, but a fundamental shift in the international order,” he said.
“For all Singaporeans, I say the results will inspire us to work harder for you. We will do our best to serve you and improve your life,” Wong said.
This is Wong's first election for the prime minister of global businesses, who is now facing a strong headwind caused by tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Huang said his urgent task was to form his next cabinet and announce it when it was ready.
The 52-year-old prime minister also reflected concerns raised throughout the debris.
He noted that Singaporeans have provided feedback on the cost of living and housing.
“We have been working on these issues and I assure you that we will double down on these issues in the coming semester,” he said.
The Workers' Party (WP) was named one of the most powerful opposition parties in the island country, and managed to retain its 10 parliamentary seats.
In the country's 14th election since independence, there were a total of 2,429,281 votes, including rejected votes.
Singaporeans voted on 92 of the 97 parliamentary seats on islands within the 1,240 polling stations to determine Singapore's future politics, the Election Department (ELD) said.
It was Singapore's 19th election since the first general election in 1948 and since its independence in 1965.
Lee Hsien Loong was sworn in last May after resigning nearly two decades later.
Opposition parties have conducted picky campaigns, which have raised issues related to high living and housing, as well as the presence of foreigners in nearly all economic sectors in Singapore’s human services.
The chief leaders have maintained a balance of their election schedules for the last nine days since the nomination ended, as well as the negotiated tariffs imposed by Singapore’s largest trading partner, the United States.
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong has been negotiating with his U.S. counterparts to impose a 10% tariff on imports from Singapore.
In all 92 constituencies, PAP sent candidates, while its main rival, the Workers' Party (WP), competed for 26 seats in eight constituencies.
The Progressive Party of Singapore (PSP) has sent 13 candidates in six constituencies. Other parties in the competition include the Singapore People's Party (SPP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People's Power Party (PPP), People's Reform Union (PAR), Red Dot United (RDU), National Solidarity Party (NSP), Singapore United Party (SUP) and Singapore Democratic Party (SDA).
Prime Minister Tsen urged Singaporeans to vote responsibly as global economies experience unprecedented challenges and lead to uncertainty.
Diplomatic sources say city-states, focusing on financial transaction-oriented cities, sit in the middle of the U.S.-China trade war, have established historic bilateral economic and diplomatic relations with the mega-markets.
Tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump have triggered a wave of delays and cancellations of export orders, and Singapore's manufacturing activity has plunged into recession territory.
The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) is a barometer of health in manufacturing, falling to 49.6 points in April, down 1 point from 50.6 points in March; readings above 50 mean growth, while readings below contraction.
“The contraction of plant activity in Singapore has been expanding for 19 months in a row,” the Straits Times reported, citing a report from the Singapore Institute of Procurement and Materials Management (SIPMM).
Meanwhile, at the end of the nomination day on April 23, PAP carried out walking measures in one constituency.
In the 2020 election, PAP's vote share fell to a near record low of 61%, down from nearly 70% in 2015, and despite 83 out of 93 parliamentary seats, the opposition won the game with a record 10 seats.
