PAP prepares for internal vote with limited shake-up, new ministers poised for CEC entry

On Sunday, Oct 25, the People’s Action Party will conduct its internal election, selecting a new Central Executive Committee (CEC) that will serve for two years. Over 2,000 party cadres are expected to vote, and while the party’s 65.57 % vote share in the 2025 General Election suggests stability, the July cabinet reshuffle may allow newly promoted ministers—Jeffrey Siow, David Neo and Jasmin Lau—to secure CEC seats. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong in 2024, has urged the party to showcase its next-generation leadership before the 2030 general election.

The CEC, traditionally dominated by senior “4G” leaders, could see its composition shift as first-term MPs gain entry, potentially prompting senior figures to step aside. Historical precedent shows that newcomers often rise quickly through the CEC, as seen with past MPs like Heng Swee Keat and Chan Chun Sing. The outcome will signal the party’s direction and its strategy for mobilising activists and voters in future elections.