Singapore is holding an election on Saturday, in a test of public approval for its new prime minister as the city-state braces for economic turbulence from a global trade war.

The election is a bellwether for the popularity of the People's Action Party (PAP), which has ruled since before Singapore's 1965 independence, with attention on whether the opposition can challenge the ruling party's tight grip on power and make further inroads after small but unprecedented gains in the last contest.

Though the PAP has consistently won in landslides with about 90 percent of seats, its share of the popular vote is closely watched as a measure of the strength of its mandate, with premier Lawrence Wong keen to improve on the PAP's 60.1 percent in the 2020 election - one of its worst performances on record.

Wong, 52, became the Asian financial hub's fourth prime minister last year, promising continuity, new blood and to lead Singapore his own way. He took over at the end of the two-decade premiership of Lee Hsien Loong, the son of former leader Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore.

Polls opened at 8 am and will close at 8 pm, with a result expected in the early hours of Sunday.

Living costs and housing availability in one of the world's most expensive cities are key issues for the 2.76 million voters and a continued challenge for Wong, whose government has warned of recession if the trade-dependent economy becomes collateral damage in the war over steep US tariffs. (Reuters)