Renewal Top Of Mind As PAP, WP Head Into General Election

Each party's showing will shape foundations on which its next chapter of growth is built

- Linette Lai

In Chinese tradition, the end of 60 years marks the completion of a full life cycle and symbolizes the dawn of a new beginning.

Rather fitting, then, that as Singapore celebrates its 60th year of independence in 2025, the leaders of its two largest political parties have renewal on their minds.

For the PAP and Workers' Party—the only two parties to have had elected MPs in Parliament for more than a decade now—the May 3 general election will not just be about seats won in the here and now.

Each party's performance at the ballot box will shape the foundations on which its next chapter of growth will be built.

One such pivotal year for the PAP was 2011. Mr Lee Hsien Loong, then aged 59, was prime minister. He brought many of the PAP's key fourth-generation leaders—including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat—into politics that year.

The only exception was Health Minister Ong Ye Kung. Mr Ong also contested the 2011 General Election, but as part of the PAP team that lost Aljunied GRC to the WP. Four years later, he was fielded in Sembawang GRC, where he won and is the anchor minister today.

Fast-forward 14 years from that watershed 2011 election: Mr Wong, 52, is prime minister and secretary-general of the PAP.

Like his predecessor, renewal is on his mind too. In 2025's election, his party will field 32 new faces, including several high-flying civil servants who quit their jobs to join politics. It is the PAP's biggest refresh in recent years.