TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), won big in the local elections on Saturday (Nov. 26), fetching 13 cities and counties in Taiwan.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) failed to secure major cities in northern Taiwan, including Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan cities. The significant loss for the party resulted in President Tsai Ing-wen announcing her resignation as the DPP's chairperson.
Analysts expect the DPP to go through internal dissensions, as factions within the party will strive to be at the helm. In preparation for the 2024 presidential election, many are wondering who the DPP will nominate and whether changes will be seen regarding cross-strait relations.
According to Chinese Culture University's dean of the Department of Advertising, Niu Tse-hsun, those within the party with Tsai's support may be at a disadvantage for 2024 election.
Niu pointed out that former Taoyuan City mayor Cheng Wen-tsan is "out of luck," as the DPP failed to secure the city this time around. "Chen chien-jen is also out of the game because he's part of President Tsai's faction," he added.
In the end, "the possibility of Lai Ching-te getting the nomination is incredibly likely," the dean remarked.
Meanwhile, observers also anticipate what Taiwan's new direction for cross-strait relations would be following the DPP's loss in the local elections.
Analysts point out that in the following years, Taiwan’s relations with China, and the U.S. will be the main focus for all political parties.
Fang Yuan-yi, a professor in the Department of Law at Chinese Culture University, pointed out that following the "post-Tsai" era, political parties will likely focus their attention on stabilizing the relations between the U.S., China and Taiwan.
Faced with the huge loss in the local elections, the DPP needs to reconsider their policies and performance, to prepare for the presidential battle two years later.
