TAIWAN ELECTION 2024: DPP wins presidency but loses majority in Legislature as KMT wins the most seats

By Ruzeki, Shadow News 

January 13, 2024

On Saturday, January 13, Taiwanese voters kept the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in power for another four years but elected a new legislature that cost the DPP its absolute majority in the 113-seat body.

William Lai Ching-te, the DPP's chairman and the incumbent vice president won the 2024 presidential election with 5,586,019 votes, i.e 40.05 percent of the total.

According to final election results released by the Central Election Commission (CEC), William Lai defeated Hou Yu-ih of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) who garnered 4,671,021 votes, i.e 33.49 percent.

Ko Wen-je of the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP) garnered 3,690,466 votes, i.e 26.46 percent of the total, official CEC vote counts showed.

Despite his victory, Lai will face a tougher challenge than his predecessor in gaining support for his policies and greater scrutiny in the Legislature, after the DPP failed to secure an absolute majority in the 113-seat body.

No party won a majority in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan for the first time since 2004, after Saturday's elections saw the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) win 51 seats, the Kuomintang (KMT) 52, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) eight.

The DPP, which had held a majority in the 113-seat body since 2016, suffered a net loss of 11 seats on Saturday, dropping from 62 to 51 and losing its position of dominance.

With no party able to command a majority, which would need at least 57 seats, it is widely expected that the KMT and the TPP will negotiate a deal to prevent the DPP from retaining the speakership.

In addition to the party seats, two independent legislators won seats, both of whom are ideologically aligned with the KMT in the Legislative Yuan.

In addition to the party seats, two independent legislators won seats, both of whom are ideologically aligned with the KMT in the Legislative Yuan.

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The South China Sea: Taiwan reports more Chinese air force planes entered its air defense zone.

By Ruzeki, Shadow News 

Taiwan has reported a large-scale Chinese air force incursion into its airspace for two days (Wednesday and Thursday). 

The Chinese military actions is viewed to be retaliation against the United States approval of the $619m arms sale to Taiwan. The deal include hi-tech missiles for the Taiwanese F-16 fighter jets. 

According to the Taiwan’s defence ministry, on Thursday, a total of 21 Chinese combat aircrafts: 17 Chengdu J-10 multirole fighters and four advanced Shenyang J-16 strike fighters, had flew into the Taiwan's air defence zone. 

On Wednesday, Taiwan reported that 19 Chinese air force combat planes had entered its airspace. Beijing has not commented on its recent military activities near Taiwan. 

In January, China confirmed it conducted combat drills around the island to strictly counter the provocative activities of Taiwan separatist forces and the external forces, which Shadow News confirms to be the United States. 

On Wednesday, the Pentagon stated that the United States had approved the potential sale of arms including 200 anti-aircraft Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 100 AGM-88B HARM missiles, with the ability to take out land-based radar stations. 

According to military and international relations experts, the proposed sale of arms will significantly alter the basic military balance in the South China Sea. 

In a statement on Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry firmly opposed the proposed missiles sale. It added that the U.S. must stop arms sales and any military cooperation with Taiwan. 

According to the Defence ministry in Taipei, the missiles would help Taiwan  to defend against threats and provocations from the Chinese military. 

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies are the major contractors involved. China has sanctioned these companies for selling Taiwan any weapons. 

In the recent years, the Chinese military activities near the island has been increasing. Beijing is seeking to claim the self-governing Taiwan. 

China maintains its military activities are justified as it seeks to defend its territorial integrity and has warned the United States  against colluding  with Taiwan.