This year’s general election saw a significant shift in Taiwan’s party politics and likely signaled a maturing of its democracy. In previous iterations, cross-strait policies and national identity dominated debates. However, over the past decade or so, a hard-earned consensus on these issues has emerged. Today, most polls show that the majority of voters favor the status quo in ties with mainland China and that an ever-growing proportion of the population possesses a strong sense of Taiwanese identity. Tsai won the approval of the electorate in part by expressing her party’s commitment to fostering Taiwanese consciousness while maintaining stable ties with mainland China. She also outlined plans to reform the Legislature, tackle partisanship and improve communication with the public.
Ahead of the 2016 polls, issues related to the economy, housing, income inequality and pension reform came to the fore. In particular, many voters expressed concern about economic stagnation. Amid the current global slowdown, export-oriented Taiwan is struggling with weakening international demand, volatile commodity prices and import substitution in mainland China, with the nation’s gross domestic product growth dropping to 0.75 percent in 2015.
Tsai has unveiled detailed plans to revitalize the economy and, crucially, to ensure that the benefits of future development reach every region of the country and every segment of society. In addition to promoting high-tech industries including green energy, national defense and biotechnology, the president has identified export market diversification as a crucial component of her economic policies. While maintaining ties with mainland China, Tsai plans to expand commercial links with India and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. She also intends to establish a trade negotiations office under the Cabinet to boost Taiwan’s efforts to join initiatives such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
By targeting innovative sectors, Tsai’s economic policies aim to create high-quality employment opportunities for the country’s young people. This constitutes a key facet of her efforts to tackle income inequality. The president also faces a number of other significant challenges such as ensuring the continued development of the nation’s diplomatic relations, tackling funding shortfalls in the national annuity scheme, ensuring peace and stability in the South China Sea, and meeting the country’s energy needs while transitioning to a nuclear-free homeland. Furthermore, she has pledged to build social housing in order to ease the financial burden on young families, as well as introduce comprehensive reforms to elderly care and public safety systems.
Tsai’s election as the nation’s first woman president represents a resounding affirmation for gender equality in Taiwan. With female lawmakers also occupying a record 38 percent of the seats in the Legislature, she is at the forefront of a new era in which women have assumed a central role in strengthening social justice.
Taiwan’s new leader has been entrusted by voters with implementing efficient, responsible solutions to the many challenges facing the nation. As president, she has vowed to be a unifier, to bring together all forces that support progress for the good of the country. Granted a strong mandate and parliamentary majority, Tsai now shoulders the considerable responsibility of meeting the voters’ high expectations for her administration and delivering responsive policies over the next four years.