By Raju Gopalakrishnan and Kevin Lim
SINGAPORE, May 8 (Reuters) - Singapore's long-ruling People's Action Party swept back to power as expected in the most hotly contested general election since independence, but the opposition made historic gains in what it called a landmark vote.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was among the winners as state television announced early on Sunday that the PAP had secured 81 of 87 seats in parliament. The six seats that went to the opposition was the highest number it has ever taken.
Foreign Minister George Yeo was among the PAP's losers as part of the team that lost a five-member constituency to the opposition Workers' Party.
'You have made history tonight,' Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang said. 'This is a political landmark in modern Singapore.'
'Your votes tell us that Singapore is not just an economic success, Singapore is our home.
'Your votes tell us that you want Singapore to develop as a nation. Your votes tell the government you want a more responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable government.'
Singapore, one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing nations in Asia, has been ruled by the PAP since independence in 1965. But groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say the government restricts political freedoms and clamps down on dissent.
Although it was a sweeping win in terms of seats, the PAP's share of the popular vote slipped to around 60 percent from around 67 percent at the last election in 2006, the results showed. But analysts noted the PAP was firmly in control since it easily retained the two-thirds majority that allows it to amend the constitution.
No policy shifts were anticipated, they said.
'Given Singapore's parliamentary system, the ruling party has the ability to pass comfortably key legislation, including constitutional amendments,' Prasenjit Basu, chief regional economist at Daiwa Capital Markets, said in a report.
'The PAP government will thus continue to have an unfettered ability to make and implement policy -- particularly on economic and money matters.
'With the PAP still solidly in control of policy-making and implementation, we do not expect substantive changes in policy post-election -- although marginal changes could occur via debate and deliberation later in the parliament's term.'
RUNAWAY GROWTH
The opposition had focused its campaign on the ills brought by Singapore's growth -- rising income inequality, high prices and an unwelcome influx of foreigners. The PAP pointed to its stewardship that had transformed a sleepy colonial port to a gleaming financial hub.
Financial markets have largely ignored the election since the outcome was never in doubt. Even on Monday, external factors were likely to rule in the local stock market, said Song Seng Wun, an economist with CIMB.
'The results show that Singapore is growing up,' he added. 'There is greater willingness to allow for more alternative voices to be heard in parliament.'
The Workers' Party, which took all the seats going to the opposition, held a victory celebration at a stadium in one of the constituencies it clinched.
Supporters dressed in the party's blue colours chanted 'Ole, Ole,' and threw confetti on each other, shouting and clapping.
PAP backers said there were lessons to be learned.
'It is definitely good for Singapore, but I think the leaders and government realised that there's a gap between them and people on the ground,' said Jagjit Singh, a 72-year-old.
In 2006, the PAP won about 67 percent of the vote and 82 of 84 seats.
This year the opposition contested 82 of 87 seats in parliament, with the PAP returned unopposed from one five-seat constituency. In 2006, just over half the seats were contested.
(Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)
((Kevin.Lim@thomsonreuters.com)(65)(6403 5663)) Keywords: SINGAPORE ELECTION/ (Raju.Gopalakrishnan@thomsonreuters.com;) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
SINGAPORE, May 8 (Reuters) - Singapore's long-ruling People's Action Party swept back to power as expected in the most hotly contested general election since independence, but the opposition made historic gains in what it called a landmark vote.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was among the winners as state television announced early on Sunday that the PAP had secured 81 of 87 seats in parliament. The six seats that went to the opposition was the highest number it has ever taken.
Foreign Minister George Yeo was among the PAP's losers as part of the team that lost a five-member constituency to the opposition Workers' Party.
'You have made history tonight,' Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang said. 'This is a political landmark in modern Singapore.'
'Your votes tell us that Singapore is not just an economic success, Singapore is our home.
'Your votes tell us that you want Singapore to develop as a nation. Your votes tell the government you want a more responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable government.'
Singapore, one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing nations in Asia, has been ruled by the PAP since independence in 1965. But groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say the government restricts political freedoms and clamps down on dissent.
Although it was a sweeping win in terms of seats, the PAP's share of the popular vote slipped to around 60 percent from around 67 percent at the last election in 2006, the results showed. But analysts noted the PAP was firmly in control since it easily retained the two-thirds majority that allows it to amend the constitution.
No policy shifts were anticipated, they said.
'Given Singapore's parliamentary system, the ruling party has the ability to pass comfortably key legislation, including constitutional amendments,' Prasenjit Basu, chief regional economist at Daiwa Capital Markets, said in a report.
'The PAP government will thus continue to have an unfettered ability to make and implement policy -- particularly on economic and money matters.
'With the PAP still solidly in control of policy-making and implementation, we do not expect substantive changes in policy post-election -- although marginal changes could occur via debate and deliberation later in the parliament's term.'
RUNAWAY GROWTH
The opposition had focused its campaign on the ills brought by Singapore's growth -- rising income inequality, high prices and an unwelcome influx of foreigners. The PAP pointed to its stewardship that had transformed a sleepy colonial port to a gleaming financial hub.
Financial markets have largely ignored the election since the outcome was never in doubt. Even on Monday, external factors were likely to rule in the local stock market, said Song Seng Wun, an economist with CIMB.
'The results show that Singapore is growing up,' he added. 'There is greater willingness to allow for more alternative voices to be heard in parliament.'
The Workers' Party, which took all the seats going to the opposition, held a victory celebration at a stadium in one of the constituencies it clinched.
Supporters dressed in the party's blue colours chanted 'Ole, Ole,' and threw confetti on each other, shouting and clapping.
PAP backers said there were lessons to be learned.
'It is definitely good for Singapore, but I think the leaders and government realised that there's a gap between them and people on the ground,' said Jagjit Singh, a 72-year-old.
In 2006, the PAP won about 67 percent of the vote and 82 of 84 seats.
This year the opposition contested 82 of 87 seats in parliament, with the PAP returned unopposed from one five-seat constituency. In 2006, just over half the seats were contested.
(Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)
((Kevin.Lim@thomsonreuters.com)(65)(6403 5663)) Keywords: SINGAPORE ELECTION/ (Raju.Gopalakrishnan@thomsonreuters.com;) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.