section_path: Campaign/Political issues
section_name: Political issues
paragraph_text: Political issues
  
  A January 2025 study by Blackbox Research's sentiment tracker, SensingSG, found that the cost of living remained the primary concern for Singaporeans. Voters also cited employment and housing as key issues, while higher-income groups expressed concerns about civil rights and democracy. Respondents indicated they prioritised the quality of governance at the constituency level rather than the national level, with nearly 90% of respondents expressing this view. Additionally, 88% of respondents emphasised the importance of candidate quality in their constituency, while 87.8% highlighted service delivery and infrastructure as key factors. Unlike in other countries, Blackbox anticipated that the upcoming general election would not be driven by personality-based politics.
  
  Bhavan Jaipragas of The Straits Times commented that beyond everyday concerns like public housing and living costs, opposition parties should also address geopolitical matters as these can significantly influence domestic issues, particularly with the introduction of tariffs by the second Trump administration. Agence France-Presse and Nikkei Asia expected that economic uncertainties due to the tariffs would be a key concern among voters. Jaipragas also called for voters not to take Singapore's relevance and sovereignty for granted as he cited a 2009 Lee Kuan Yew speech. On the other hand, commentators on SCMP expected voters to prioritise domestic issues over international affairs. Analysts on CNA said the PAP's traditional "flight to safety" strategy during times of crisis – appealing to voters' to stick with familiar leadership – may not be as effective amid growing voter scepticism and a more diverse electorate. Teo on SCMP added that the electorate might desire diverse voices in parliament. Opposition leaders have called for unity through parliamentary diversity, pushing back on what they see as government fearmongering. Analysts expect that building trust, demonstrating sincerity, and clearly communicating plans to address both global developments and domestic issues are essential in shaping electoral outcomes.
  
  Ahead of the upcoming election, CNA and other Mediacorp media outlets identified East Coast, Marine Parade, Sengkang, and West Coast GRCs as potential election "hotspots", with residents across these districts primarily concerned about the rising cost of living, employment, job security, and housing affordability. In East Coast, where PAP narrowly beat WP in 2020, ageing infrastructure and elderly support are major issues. Private estate owners also seek greater transparency on lease renewals. In Marine Parade, in addition to concerns regarding immigration, job competition, school placements, CNA speculated that Tan Chuan-Jin 's marital affair could influence the constituency's electoral outcome as he was well-regarded among residents there. In WP-held Sengkang, national issues take priority over constituency-level issues like estate cleanliness. Meanwhile, in West Coast, where the PAP won by just 3.36% in 2020, estate management and transport are key concerns. CNA believes the prosecution of S. Iswaran and the presence of PSP's founding chairman Tan Cheng Bock, a former PAP MP, could determine the next election outcome.
  
  In a CNA survey after the redrawing of electoral boundaries, most residents in redrawn constituencies like East Coast, Marine Parade–Braddell Heights, and West Coast–Jurong West were largely indifferent to the changes. However, residents in East Coast and Marine Parade–Braddell Heights had questioned the rationale, and political analysts noted the opposition could face more challenges. Analysts on The Straits Times, such as Mustafa Izzuddin and Felix Tan, believe that the boundary changes have strengthened support for the PAP in the newly formed GRCs in the west. Analysts also suggested that East Coast could be highly competitive due to the inclusion of Joo Chiat's educated, middle-class voters, who might prioritise political pluralism and checks on parliamentary power. Political observer Tan noted that younger voters in the newly formed Punggol GRC could potentially influence voting trends, and The Straits Times expected a fierce PAP–WP fight in Punggol. However, Teo believed that many voters would focus more on national issues, party performance, and candidate quality than constituency-specific changes.