Significance of DPP's Major Defeat in Taiwan Local Elections |
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In the local elections held on November 26, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered the biggest setback since its founding. President Tsai Ing-wen stepped down as party chairwoman to take responsibility for the defeat.
(Photo from:
United Daily News) |
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Why Did the People Vote No Confidence in DPP?
United Daily News, November 27, 2022
The results of the local elections were unveiled. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a complete defeat and only won the governing power of five counties and cities, far inferior to the 13 counties and cities garnered by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT). The DPP's local ruling territory has largely retreated, and it is only trapped in the corner of southern Taiwan, in a geographical term, "south of Beigang River". This is the biggest setback of the DPP since its founding. This big defeat is certainly related to the DPP's ineffective local management, but the more critical factor is that the central government, the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen, is too unpopular. The so-called “dislike DPP” sentiment once again swept nation-wide and dealt the DPP a heavy blow.
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According to a commentator, the 2022 election results indicate that "resist China to protect Taiwan" is no longer a weapon for victory, and third-party candidates are eventually becoming viable alternatives for voters.
(Photo from:
United Daily News) |
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Election Results Caution Both Parties
By Chou Yang-shan
China Times, November 26, 2022
The results of the November 26 local elections are largely consistent with predictions by the news media prior to the election. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a crushing defeat and lost most of its political turf. The populace used their votes to teach the DPP a lesson, punishing the party for its deceit, corruption, and incompetence. In contrast, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) scored a landslide victory sweeping over three-fourths of local governments across Taiwan. The following messages conveyed by the election outcome are worth special attention.
…read more
From: https://www.chinatimes.com/opinion/20221126003501-262104
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According to media commentary, if the DPP is to be unshelved in the 2024 presidential election, then cooperation between the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) will be key.
(Photo from: The Storm Media) |
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Can KMT Win in 2024?
China Times Commentary, November 27, 2022
In the 2022 local elections, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered another major setback. One last mile remains before the DPP steps down in the 2024 presidential election. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is fully committed to winning the 2024 presidential election, whereas Chairman Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), also announced his presidential candidacy. However, there are still challenges for the KMT and TPP to end DPP’s eight-year chaotic regime.
…read more
From: https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20221127000322-260118?chdtv
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In a meeting between American and Chinese defense ministers, the mainland's Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe stated that Taiwan is at the core of China's core interests and is the first insurmountable red line in U.S.-China relations.
(Photo from: Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China) |
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November 20: In order to support the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Chen Shih-chung, Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan stated that Chen helped block many vaccine brokers from making money, but the minister's comments attracted criticism. Hsueh even stated that the vaccine brokers are fundamentally "vaccine scammers" who approached the Central Epidemic Command Center using industry and religious group connections and sought to profit from vaccine procurement. Lin Po-fung, chairman of the Third Wednesday Club, stated angrily that business associations wanted to donate money to the government to buy vaccines, not to make money. According to Lin, the government should admit its mistake and stop making excuses.
November 21: The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will hold a ceremony for the arrival of the first batch of machines and equipment at its 5-nanometer plant in Arizona on December 6, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is invited to attend. Mass production is expected to begin in 2024. Morris Chang, founder of TSMC, confirmed that the company's 3-nanometer plan is almost finalized and will be set up at the same site in Arizona as a second phase.
November 22: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held talks with China's Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe. Austin reiterated U.S. support of the "One China" policy, emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and called on the mainland to devoid destabilizing actions against Taiwan. Wei stated that Taiwan is at the core of China's core interests and is the first insurmountable red line in U.S.-China relations which no external force has the right to interfere.
November 23: The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced the discovery of a Ka28 anti-submarine helicopter carried by a People's Liberation Army (PLA) warship in the waters near eastern Taiwan, indicating PLA naval activity. This is the first time that the MND disclosed PLA aircraft and ships operating near eastern Taiwan before the recent local elections, which is relatively sensitive information. The MND stated that the military used mission aircraft, ships, and shore-mounted missile systems to closely monitor the situation.
November 23: The Army's mechanized infantry brigade conducted a joint combat training exercise at the Pingtung Base, including various types of artillery, army aviation AH-1W attack helicopters, and armored vehicles. Among them, the Javelin missile, which performed brilliantly in the Russia-Ukraine War, also participated in the training. The 400 Javelin missiles that the Army continues to purchase are expected to be delivered in December.
November 24: Representative Kevin McCarthy, Republican leader of the House of Representatives, is expected to be elected speaker. He has publicly stated that if he becomes speaker, he would be happy to visit Taiwan. Will this move step on China's "red line?" Director-General Chen Ming-tong of the National Security Bureau stated in the Legislative Yuan that China's red line is "constantly floating." Whether McCarthy will come to Taiwan must be decided through U.S.-Taiwan negotiations. Based on the experience of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, it is necessary for Taiwan to prepare adequately for all possible scenarios.
November 25: According to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB), Ministry of Transportation and Communications, as of November 23, the average temperature in November was 24.3 degrees, 1.6 degree higher than the previous average. Yushan Meteorological Station even observed the warmest autumn since the station was established. The CWB stated that this November has the potential to become Taiwan's warmest November on record.
November 26: The results of the local elections were unveiled. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost local governments in all of northern Taiwan, suffering a historic defeat. Kuomintang (KMT) Taipei mayoral candidate Chiang Wan-an beat DPP candidate Chen Shih-chung by more than 100,000 votes. The DPP also lost Keelung, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu, cities in northern Taiwan. The DPP's ruling territory shrank from three municipalities and four counties to two municipalities and three counties. President Tsai Ing-wen announced at a press conference at 9 PM that she would step down as DPP chairwoman but did not apologize and left the press conference after a bow. Premier Su Tseng-chang resigned verbally but was asked by the president to remain at his post.
Additionally, the confirmation vote on the proposed constitutional amendment to lower the voting age to 18 did not achieve a sufficient number of consent votes to reach the threshold of 9.62 million. The constitutional amendment failed to pass.
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