PAP’s new faces: How have they changed through the years?

April 20, 2025

Dear readers,

With the General Election set for May 3, the People's Action Party has unveiled 32 new faces, its largest batch of fresh candidates in recent history.

How is this group similar to or different from their predecessors of previous GEs?

In this week's piece, we take a step back to look at how the PAP's recruitment strategy has evolved over the past four election cycles, from GE2011 to today.

Each election has brought subtle but significant shifts: more women, more candidates in their 30s and a broader range of professionals from the private sector, especially entrepreneurs and business leaders.

This year's line-up continues those trends, reflecting the party's effort to stay in step with a changing electorate and to prepare for long-term leadership renewal.

We also examine the pressures behind this larger-than-usual intake – from political exits to an expanded Parliament – and ask whether this year's newcomers could follow in the footsteps of past political heavyweights who started as first-time candidates.

Yours faithfully,
Yasmine Yahya
Deputy Chief Editor, CNA Digital (TODAY, Lifestyle & Luxury)

GE2025: Deciphering the broader shifts behind PAP's record slate of new faces