Policy Backgrounders

Taiwan’s Elections

January 05, 2024

Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™

Taiwan will hold elections for President and the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan’s Parliament, on January 13. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate, the current Vice President Lai Ching-te, whom China refers to as a “separatist,” is expected to hold the Presidency, but the outcome of the legislative election is much less clear.

• The election features three candidates with very different views on relations with China. The opposition could not agree on a single candidate; this split strongly aids the DPP/ Vice President Lai Ching-te.
• The DPP may, however, lose its current majority in the Legislative Yuan; voters could prefer a system of divided government if they are concerned about the prospect of conflict with China.  The DPP had suffered a large loss in the mid-term elections, causing the current president Tsai to resign as party head of the DPP.
• China’s response to the election thus far has been relatively restrained; it may fear that attempts to influence the election could backfire.