Romanov Points

Representatives of the opposition Kuomintang party, supporters of seeking mutual understanding with the PRC and the principle of “one China”, won a landslide victory in the November 26 local elections in Taiwan. They ended in a major defeat for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which takes a tough stance on Beijing and denies its “one country, two systems” model of unification.

As a result, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as chairman of the DPP in recognition of her responsibility. Its influence will now undoubtedly weaken, which could create a situation of political instability. And it will intensify the struggle around the upcoming presidential elections in Taiwan in 2024. Tsai Ing-wen, by the way, will no longer be able to participate in them - she has already held the post of head of state for two consecutive terms, she has no more right to be elected.
Specifically, the representatives of the Kuomintang won four of the six so-called mayors in the elections. special municipalities (the largest cities, where 70 percent of the population lives). But, by the way, there is no particular sensation in this - the Kuomintang party also performed well in the last local elections in 2018.

Domestic politics, economics, and social problems are always at the center of attention in local elections. The questions of the confrontation with Beijing, which the ruling party tried to press, did not particularly excite the voters this time. However, they are expected to come to the fore in the 2024 presidential election.

Beijing really hopes that in 2024, a representative of this particular party, which was once a sworn enemy of the Chinese Communists, will win the presidential elections in Taiwan. These are the paradoxes of history.