Being only human, people often have a habit of taking credit for positive outcomes, while blaming their environment — especially the government — for negative ones. Therefore, in democratic countries, it is not abnormal for a party that has been in power for a long time to experience a decline in support, even to the point of losing office. Even a giant such as Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party is no exception — nor is Taiwan.
If New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and then-Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) — their parties’ respective candidates — had joined forces on a joint ticket during last year’s presidential election, it is highly likely they could have taken the Executive Yuan.
Some have said that President William Lai’s (賴清德) low vote share in that election was proof that former president Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) policies had failed, but the truth is that it was precisely because of Tsai’s highly recognized record of achievements — plus the three-candidate race — that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) broke Taiwan’s pattern of the Executive Yuan alternating between the major parties every eight years.
In 2018, there was a saying that Taiwan’s largest political party is the one that “hates the DPP.” Today, despite that the DPP’s overall performance has still been objectively better than that of the KMT and TPP, the saying seems to have become reality.
Under such circumstances, it seems that a change in the ruling party in 2028 is almost inevitable, but remember that while the DPP might lose, Taiwan must not. Voters can change who is in power, but must not replace them with pro-China politicians.
The DPP should seek those it can cooperate with outside the party — whether individuals or political groups — and give them opportunities to shine and earn credibility through Cabinet reshuffles or local elections.
That would also demonstrate that the DPP does not have ambitions to monopolize power. In 2028, the DPP should present an image of selfless cooperation and a locally rooted coalition to defeat pro-China politicians. However, the DPP must choose partners that possess the integrity of figures such as former vice president Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) to avoid producing another Ko.
Chen Jun-kuang is a physician.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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