Taiwan's smaller parties form alliance for 2026 local elections

Taipei, Sept. 9 (CNA) Four of Taiwan's smaller parties, the New Power Party (NPP), the Taiwan Statebuilding Party, the Taiwan Obasang Political Equality Party and the Green Party Taiwan announced Tuesday they would join forces in the 2026 local elections.

At a press event, NPP Chairwoman Claire Wang (王婉諭), Taiwan Statebuilding Party Chairman Wang Sing-huan (王興煥), Taiwan Obasang Political Equality Party convener Lin Shih-han (林詩涵) and Green Party Taiwan co-convener Joyance Wang (王彥涵) signed a joint declaration.

The declaration outlined shared principles, including defending Taiwan against Chinese aggression, strengthening national defense and coordinating nominations to maximize local council seats. It also pledged to narrow the wealth gap, protect the environment and accelerate the energy transition.

The alliance criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and opposition Kuomintang (KMT) for reducing every issue to the independence-unification divide and mobilizing voters through antagonism while leaving real problems unsolved.

Claire Wang said that the partnership was the first time in Taiwan's political history that more than two political parties had formed an alliance. She said the four parties have a firm stance on Taiwan's sovereignty and a rejection of plutocracy.

Wang Sing-huan said Taiwan's democracy suffers from the absence of a strong opposition, which prompted the four parties to join forces to stabilize Taiwan's democracy and advance statebuilding. He added that the alliance aimed to challenge the Taiwan People's Party, which he called opportunistic, and the KMT, which he criticized as disorderly.

Lin described the collaboration as the product of a year of dialogue and relationship building, which was intended to open a new chapter in Taiwan's politics and rebuild public trust in government.

Joyance Wang urged the public to help change the political culture from the bottom up, by supporting the alliance.

Responding to media questions, Claire Wang said the parties had agreed to prioritize the re-election of incumbents and coordinate fairly where multiple candidates are eligible in the same constituency. She said they hope to field mayoral and magistrate candidates, if possible, to offer voters new choices and break Taiwan's political deadlock.