The discovery of a coordinated disinformation campaign featuring hundreds of AI-generated videos targeting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong represents a significant escalation in the digital influence operations facing Singapore.

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Exceptional Growth and Fiscal Windfall

PM Wong's Social Compact Strategy

Transition from Election Mode to Structural Reform Budget 2026 marks a decisive pivot from the "election budget" of 2025 to a "governance budget" for the new term. With the General Election concluded, the political imperative has shifted from immediate broad-based handouts to long-term structural transformation. While there is still support for the cost of living (e.g., CDC vouchers, cash payouts), the volume of direct transfers has decreased for middle-income households compared to the election year. This signals a return to fiscal discipline and a focus on targeted rather than universal aid.

Government Priorities & Stability: Budget 2026 serves as the inaugural major policy statement for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's new term, setting the strategic direction for a "Post-SG60" Singapore. The budget reflects a government that is confident yet cautious, leveraging a massive FY2025 fiscal surplus (S$15.1 billion) to project stability while aggressively preparing for future disruptions. The establishment of a National AI Council, chaired personally by PM Wong, signals that the administration views technological leadership not just as an economic goal, but as a political imperative to maintain Singapore's relevance on the global stage.