TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13 have ushered in a new political era, with significant shifts in power and demographics.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has secured a historic third consecutive term, marking the first time since the direct presidential elections in 1996 that such a feat has been accomplished. However, a seismic change is also evident as neither of the major parties, the DPP nor the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), won a legislative majority—a first since 2004.
DPP's Victory Amid Legislative Challenge
DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te emerged victorious with more than 40% of the votes, but his party secured only 51 seats out of the 113 available in the legislature, falling short by a single seat compared to the KMT's 52. The Taiwan People's Party (TPP), a relative newcomer, made a notable entrance into the political scene by securing 8 seats, establishing itself as a significant player. The forthcoming legislature, set to take office on Feb. 1, will confront the evolving political landscape and the enduring political divide, issues of utmost importance.
Ko Wen-je: Youthful Support Amidst Aging Legislature
Ko Wen-je, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate, garnered substantial support from the younger generation. A report by News Lens projected Ko to capture approximately 48.83% of the votes from individuals aged 20 to 39. According to data from the Central Election Commission (CEC), around 6.07 million voters under the age of 40 participated in the elections, constituting about 31.09% of the total turnout.
Despite Ko's popularity among younger voters, the average age of the eight elected TPP legislators stands at 57.87 years old, making them the oldest compared to the DPP's 52.47 and the KMT's 52.07.
The overall average age of the legislature is 52.8 years old, with seven legislators aged over 70, marking the highest number since 2008. Notably, both the youngest and the oldest legislators belong to the ruling DPP. The legislature's average age has remained consistent with 2020's 53 years but has notably aged compared to 2016's average of 49.94.
Gender Representation and Legislative Activity
In terms of gender representation, women now occupy 42% of the seats in the legislature, accounting for approximately 47 out of the 113 positions. This figure remains consistent with the 2020 statistics but demonstrates an improvement compared to 2016, when only 38% of women held seats.
Breaking down the numbers further, within the KMT, 17 of the 52 seats are held by female legislators, while the DPP boasts 23 women among its 51 seats. Meanwhile, the TPP's 8 seats are evenly distributed between male and female legislators.
From March 2020 to Jan. 8, 2024, the Legislative Yuan passed approximately 480 bills, including revisions to existing acts and regulations, reflecting the active legislative landscape.
As the newly elected legislators prepare to take office next month, questions arise about the ability of a divided legislature to maintain smooth operations. Will we witness more legislative conflicts on the horizon? Taiwan faces the challenge of overcoming its political divisions and uniting to address economic and geopolitical concerns, safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and democracy.
