Seat distribution changes in the Legislative Yuan

In the 2024 legislative elections, for the first time since 2004 no party has obtained the absolute majority, as the DPP lost its previous absolute majority of 61 seats in the unicameral Legislative Yuan, which has 113 seats (Figure 1). With 51 seats, it is now only the second-largest party. By contrast, the KMT increased its seats from 38 to 52, becoming the largest party. The TPP now holds eight seats and KMT-leaning Independents two seats. It is also worth noting that all other small parties have lost their seats. For now, the resulting hung parliament has turned the TPP, who gained a mere three seats, into a kingmaker and vital coalition partner for the DPP or the KMT to avoid legislative gridlock and to help shape cross-strait relations and thereby US-China relations, around one of the world’s major geopolitical flash points. On 1 February 2024, when Taiwan’s new legislative term began, Han Kuo-yu from the KMT was elected president of the Legislative Yuan.