Singapore's ruling party suffers setbacks at election

The city state's long-time ruling party won another overwhelming majority in parliamentary elections on Saturday, but the opposition made historic gains after its biggest challenge since independence in 1965.

The People's Action Party, which has ruled for five decades, won 81 of the 87 seats, capturing 60 per cent of the two million votes cast. The Workers' Party won six seats, the most ever captured by the opposition.

Low Thia Khiang, leader of the Workers' Party, said the result represented "a real breakthrough for future generations".