Singapore Ruling Party Victorious
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong easily won a special election Saturday and said he would use the results to reinvigorate his government.
“You have given me your resounding endorsement for the policies of my government and leadership,” Goh told supporters after the result. “I pledge on behalf of my colleagues and myself to safeguard the future of Singapore.”
Beaming, he told reporters Saturday night: “When I land a solid punch, I know it.”
Goh’s four-member team from the ruling People’s Action Party won 73% of the vote in the special election in his home constituency of Marine Parade. PAP, which has held power since 1959, controls 77 of the 81 seats in Parliament.
The Singapore Democratic Party, which had hoped to get 30% to 40%, took 24.5% and two smaller opposition parties split the remainder. SDP officials told a press briefing that they were disappointed but still satisfied.
“The result tonight shows the people of Singapore want a strong and credible opposition,” said SDP candidate Ashleigh Seow. “Tonight is the beginning of a stable two-party system.”
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