What Happened to 2024 Taiwanese Presidential Election?

The 2024 Taiwanese Presidential Election, held on January 13, 2024, resulted in a victory for Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who secured 40.05% of the vote. His running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, became Vice President. This outcome marked a historic third consecutive presidential term for the DPP, a party generally seen as more assertive regarding Taiwan's sovereignty. The main opposition candidate, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT), garnered 33.49% of the vote, while Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) received 26.46%. The voter turnout was 71.86%. Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim were officially sworn into office on May 20, 2024.

However, the presidential victory was tempered by the results of the concurrent legislative elections. The DPP lost its majority in the Legislative Yuan, securing only 51 out of 113 seats. The KMT emerged as the largest single party with 52 seats, and the TPP won 8 seats. This created a hung parliament, meaning no single party held an outright majority, a situation not seen since 2004. This political fragmentation has significantly complicated Lai's ability to advance the DPP's legislative agenda, leading to persistent gridlock and clashes with the opposition-controlled legislature over key issues such as budgets and defense spending throughout 2025 and 2026.

Cross-strait relations with mainland China have remained a central and challenging aspect of Lai's presidency. Beijing interpreted the election results as the DPP losing its mandate from Taiwan's mainstream public opinion, despite Lai's victory. China has continued to intensify its military, cyber, and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, with Lai Ching-te being characterized by Beijing as advancing a "new two-state theory." Military exercises by China, such as "Justice Mission 2025," have heightened regional anxieties. Taiwan, in response, has focused on strengthening its self-defense capabilities, increasing defense spending, and acquiring advanced weaponry, including drones, with support from the United States and cooperation with European partners.

Domestically, President Lai's administration has faced fluctuating public approval. After taking office, his approval ratings saw a decline, reaching lows of 28-33.3% in August 2025, partly due to political setbacks and perceived voter fatigue with a strong focus on China-related narratives. However, by May 2026, his approval ratings showed a modest recovery to 38-47.7%, with a strong economy being identified as a key driver. Taiwan's economy experienced robust growth in 2025, exceeding 7%, primarily fueled by AI-driven semiconductor exports. While 2026 projections indicate a moderation to around 2.60-3.3% GDP growth, the technology sector continues to be the main engine, though challenges like wage stagnation and global trade pressures persist.

As of August 2026, the political landscape in Taiwan remains dynamic. The Legislative Yuan passed the 2026 general budget after a nearly year-long delay, including a significant $2 billion drone budget, indicating some bipartisan agreement on defense. China continues its efforts to influence Taiwanese politics, particularly ahead of the 2026 local elections. A survey by the Mainland Affairs Council in August 2026 revealed that nearly 70% of Taiwanese support maintaining the cross-strait status quo and reject unification with China, with over 80% opposing Beijing's "one country, two systems" principle. This underscores the enduring public sentiment for Taiwan's self-determination amidst ongoing external pressures.