Most political parties around the world would be thrilled to win 89 percent of seats in an election. Not in Singapore.
The worst showing for the ruling People’s Action Party, or PAP, since independence in 1965 prompted analysts to declare a "vote for change” that will trigger "soul searching” among the country’s leaders. Supporters for the main opposition Workers’ Party — which took 10 of 93 seats up for grabs — waved flags, blew whistles and beat drums like they were about to take office.
Much of that reaction reflects just how tightly the PAP has clenched the levers of power over the decades. It’s a very high bar for it to continue winning so many seats in every election even with an electoral system that has built-in advantages for the ruling party, and this vote was held when a global pandemic helped trigger the city-state’s worst-ever economic slump.