On Saturday, January 13, Taiwan’s voters cast their ballots in the 2024 general election. Within mere hours of the polls closing, the people’s will in the presidential race was clear: the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) emerged victorious, while the Kuomingtang’s (KMT) Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) and Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) and the Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) and Cynthia Wu (吳欣盈) gracefully conceded defeat. Despite the occasion being only the country’s eighth direct presidential election, the smooth and uncontested outcome is a testament to the maturity of its democracy.
Further evidence of Taiwan’s democratic strengths can be found in the vote distribution. While the two main parties, the DPP and the KMT, garnered 40.05 percent and 33.49 percent, respectively, the TPP obtained 26.46 percent. Formed in 2019 to provide an alternative to dominant political groups, the TPP proved to be a serious contender even though this year was the first time it fielded a presidential candidate. The ability of a third party to gain over a quarter of the vote demonstrates the flexibility of the country’s electoral system and the ongoing evolution of Taiwan’s political discourse to reflect the diverse voices of its people.
The general election also saw the selection of the legislature. Out of the 113 total seats, the KMT won 52, the DPP 51, the TPP 8 and independents 2. The difference in outcomes between the presidential and the legislative elections shows that the people of Taiwan care deeply about local values as well as those of the nation as a whole. Many KMT candidates in regional races ran targeted campaigns that connected with the local populace, helping them take the most seats. TPP campaigners also ran on a compelling platform and now form an important swing faction in the legislature, holding the power to act as a moderating voice between the two larger parties and cast deciding votes.
In a post-election news conference, Lai thanked the people for writing a new page in Taiwan’s history, with his win making the first time a party has stayed in power for three consecutive four-year terms, and anticipated that the administration would mark an era of cooperation. In fact, one of his campaign promises was to appoint staff based on capability rather than political affiliation to ensure an open and inclusive government that unites the nation. With 2024 marking the first time in 20 years that no party has held a legislative majority, the composition of the new government encourages close collaboration on cross-party policy priorities spanning cross-strait affairs, the economy, energy transformation and national defense.
Lai also expressed his gratitude to voters for the strong turnout of 71.86 percent. Citizen engagement is the foundation of democracy, and Taiwan’s people have repeatedly shown high regard for civil rights and civic duty. It is no wonder, then, that the country ranked first in Asia and 10th globally in the Democracy Index 2023 released by London-based Economist Intelligence Unit in February. Of the 167 countries and territories evaluated, Taiwan was one of only 24 designated a full democracy. This places the country’s 23 million people among the 7.8 percent of the world’s population that live under a fully functioning democratic system, while 37.6 live in flawed democracies and 54.6 live under hybrid or authoritarian regimes. The data makes it plain: Taiwan, with its free and fair electoral process and robust democratic institutions, is a shining example of constitutional governance that provides a model for the international community to follow.