Democratic Progressive Party

Overview

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is one of Taiwan's two major parties and the largest member of the Pan-Green coalition. It holds the presidency: party chair Lai Ching-te became president in May 2024, succeeding fellow DPP member Tsai Ing-wen. In the Legislative Yuan, however, it does not have a majority, so it governs facing an opposition-controlled legislature.

The party grew out of the movement against martial-law rule and is associated with human rights, democratic reform, and the promotion of a Taiwanese national identity separate from China.

History

The DPP was founded in September 1986, a year before martial law ended, by activists from the Tangwai ("outside the party") movement that had opposed the Kuomintang's one-party rule. It was illegal at first but quickly became the main opposition.

Chen Shui-bian won the presidency for the DPP in 2000, ending more than half a century of KMT rule, and was re-elected in 2004. After a period back in opposition, Tsai Ing-wen led the party to victory in 2016 and 2020, and Lai Ching-te won a third consecutive presidential term for the party in 2024, the first time any party had done so since direct elections began.

Economic Policy

On the economy the DPP is broadly centre-left. It supports public investment, a stronger social safety net, higher minimum wages and the long-term care system, while backing Taiwan's export-led technology industry. In energy policy it set out to phase out nuclear power in favour of renewables and gas. It has tried to reduce economic dependence on mainland China through the New Southbound Policy, which builds trade ties with South and Southeast Asia.

Social Policy

The DPP is socially liberal by Taiwanese standards. Under Tsai Ing-wen's government Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, in 2019. The party emphasises transitional justice for the martial-law era, indigenous rights, and the use of Taiwanese languages alongside Mandarin.

Foreign Policy

Relations with China define the party's foreign policy. Its charter historically called for formal independence, but in government it has kept the status quo, holding that Taiwan is already a sovereign country under the name Republic of China and is not part of the People's Republic. It favours higher defence spending, closer ties with the United States, Japan and other democracies, and resists Beijing's pressure.

Where They Stand

• Holds that Taiwan is already a sovereign state and rejects unification with the People's Republic of China
• Supports higher defence spending and closer security ties with the United States and Japan
• Backed the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2019
• Favours renewable energy and set out to phase out nuclear power
• Seeks to diversify trade away from China through the New Southbound Policy

Electoral Record

The DPP has won four of the last seven presidential elections: 2000, 2004, 2016, 2020 and 2024. It held a legislative majority from 2016 to 2024 but lost it in the 2024 election, winning 51 of 113 seats against the KMT's 52. A 2025 campaign to recall opposition legislators, which the party backed, failed in every district.

Position on the Political Compass

Democratic Progressive Party sits on the centrist side on economics and is moderate on questions of social freedom and authority.

These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.

Key Figures

Sources and Further Reading

• Democratic Progressive Party (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
• Official party websitedpp.org.tw

Other Taiwan Parties