As countries grapple with US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a mounting trade war, Singapore will head to the polls where such global affairs are not expected to be top of mind for voters casting their ballots on May 3.
Domestic concerns such as the rising cost of living, jobs and housing are more likely to move the needle in an election where Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will seek a strong mandate as he helms the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) for the first time since taking office last May.
Wong will lead his band of fourth-generation leaders, commonly known as the 4G, with candidate introductions reported nearly daily as the city state counts down to the polls.
The PAP has dominated Singapore’s elections since 1959, before independence in 1965. It is among the longest-uninterrupted governing parties in history.
With the ongoing tariffs turmoil, Singapore’s open economy is especially vulnerable, authorities warn. But analysts say bread-and-butter issues weigh more heavily on voters’ minds and the trade war may not result in the electorate taking a flight-to-safety approach to the ballot in favour of the PAP.
“Elections in Singapore tend to be a domestic affair, with the focus very much on local and municipal issues that are personal to the voter and less about foreign issues,” said Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore.
“Singapore is not immune to the trade war, so the ruling party will emphasise it to the voters but I don’t think there is substantial mileage to gain from it.”
