TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is set to hold its presidential and legislative elections on Saturday (Jan. 13). Voters will choose a new president and vice president and 113 legislators for the Legislative Yuan. The parliament comprises 73 district representatives, 34 at-large members, and six seats for indigenous legislators. Each voter will cast two ballots: one for their district representative and one for the at-large seats.
In the 2012 legislative elections, the Kuomintang (KMT) won 64 seats, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 40, and smaller parties like the People First Party (PFP) and Taiwan Solidarity Union secured a few seats each. But in 2016, the DPP overtook the KMT, winning 68 seats to the KMT's 35. The New Power Party (NPP) also made gains.
The 2020 elections saw the DPP with 61 seats, the KMT with 38, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) securing five. The NPP's representation fell to three seats. This year's elections might disrupt the existing dynamics. The DPP, KMT, and TPP are striving to boost their presence in the Legislative Yuan, yet achieving a majority in the parliament may present significant challenges.
The outcome of these elections could lead to a divided minority government, challenging inter-party cooperation. This scenario looms regardless of which party's candidate wins the presidency, emphasizing the significance of the legislative vote alongside the presidential election.
Alternatively, a second outcome could see legislators from various parties collaborate on crucial legislation, prioritizing the welfare of Taiwan's economy, society, and diplomatic relations. Such bipartisan cooperation would signify a significant advancement, further strengthening the robustness of Taiwan's democracy.
