View source for Democratic Progressive Party

{{Short description|Taiwanese political party}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2010}}
{{Infobox political party
| name             = Democratic Progressive Party
| native_name      = {{nobold|民主進步黨}}
| native_name_lang = zh-Hant-TW
| logo             = DPP-Taiwan.svg
| logo_size        = 150
| colorcode        = {{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}
| leader           = 
| predecessor      = [[Tangwai movement|''Tangwai'']]
| chairperson      = [[Lai Ching-te]]
| secretary_general = [[Lin Yu-chang]]
| foundation       = {{Start date and age|1986|9|28|df=y}}
| ideology         = {{ublist|class = nowrap
 | [[Social liberalism]]
 | [[Progressivism]] ([[Progressivism in Taiwan|Taiwanese]])
 | [[Taiwanese nationalism]]{{cref|A}}
 | [[Anti-communism]]
 | [[Anti-imperialism]]<!-- {{cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Governing_Taiwan_and_Tibet/wEMkDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=anti-imperialist+DPP+taiwan&pg=PT154 |author=Baogang He |title=Governing Taiwan and Tibet: Democratic Approaches |quote= In the DPP's anti-China and anti-KMT message, the KMT is represented as equivalent to China, while 'democracy' is linked to Taiwanese nationalism. The DPP used the language of colonialism and imperialism to portray China's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. |date=July 8, 2015 |publisher=[[Edinburgh University Press]] }} --> 
}}
| headquarters     = {{nowrap|10F-30, Beiping East Rd.}}<br />[[Zhongzheng District]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan<br />10049<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dpp.org.tw/en/about|title=DPP governance, committed to excellence|website=www.dpp.org.tw|access-date=25 July 2020|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729200450/https://www.dpp.org.tw/en/about|url-status=live}}</ref>
| international    = [[Liberal International]]
| website          = {{Official URL}}
| country          = Taiwan
| abbreviation     = {{lang|en|DPP}}
| flag             = Flag of Democratic Progressive Party.svg{{!}}border
| think_tank       = {{ill|New Frontier Foundation|zh|新境界文教基金會}}
| membership_year  = 2023
| membership       = {{decrease}} 238,664<ref>{{cite web |title=民主進步黨第十七屆黨主席補選結果新聞稿 |url=https://www.dpp.org.tw/media/contents/9936 |website=Democratic Progressive Party |access-date=24 May 2023 |date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115233421/https://www.dpp.org.tw/media/contents/9936 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| position         = [[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]{{cref|B}}
| national         = [[Pan-Green Coalition]]
| regional         = [[Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats]]<ref>{{URL|http://cald.org/member-parties/democratic-progressive-party-of-taiwan/}}</ref>
| colors           = {{Color box|{{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}|border=silver}} [[Green]]
| seats1_title     = [[Legislative Yuan]]
| seats1           = {{composition bar|51|113|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| seats2_title     = [[Special municipality (Taiwan)|Municipal]] mayors
| seats2           = {{composition bar|2|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| seats3_title     = Magistrates/mayors
| seats3           = {{composition bar|3|16|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| seats4_title     = Councilors
| seats4           = {{composition bar|277|910|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| seats5_title     = [[Township (Taiwan)|Township]]/[[County-administered city|city]] mayors
| seats5           = {{composition bar|40|204|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| footnotes        = {{cnote|A|Though Taiwan independence is written in the DPP platform, main DPP politicians support a ''[[Republic of China independence]]'' position.}}
{{cnote|B|The party has been variously described as [[Centrism|centrist]], [[Centre-left politics|centre-left]], or [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] (see [[Democratic Progressive Party#Ideology and policies|Ideology and policies]] for more). It is also sometimes described as [[right-wing]] by pro-China media outlets owing to its anti-[[Chinese Communist Party|CCP]] stance.<ref>{{bulleted list
|{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewslens.com/feature/2018-2020/109299|title=台灣選舉只有右派價值的藍綠輪替，而主要的第三勢力都不算是左翼政黨|work=[[The News Lens]]|date=2 December 2018|language=zh-tw|access-date=14 December 2023|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110013901/https://www.thenewslens.com/feature/2018-2020/109299|url-status=live}}
|{{Cite news|url=https://buzzorange.com/citiorange/2016/09/10/dpp-not-support-tw-independent/|title=民進黨早就沒有台獨信仰了──從議員對高雄果菜市場拆遷案的評論中，看見民進黨真面目|work=公民報橘|date=10 September 2016|language=zh-tw|quote=清楚傳遞了民進黨就是一個右派政黨，更是一個沒有台獨信仰的政黨。|access-date=14 December 2023|archive-date=14 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214155836/https://buzzorange.com/citiorange/2016/09/10/dpp-not-support-tw-independent/|url-status=live}}
|{{Cite news|url=https://opinion.cw.com.tw/blog/profile/320/article/2152|title=臺灣的偏左意識在哪裡？|work=獨立評論|access-date=3 December 2014|language=zh-tw|quote=中華民國共和憲政一百多年，也由兩個右派政黨執政了一百多年。台灣民進黨右[...]}}
|{{Cite news|url=https://www.chinatimes.com/opinion/20171128006138-262105?chdtv|title=邱師儀》民進黨其實是極右政黨|work=[[China Times]]|date=28 November 2017|language=zh-tw}}
|{{Cite news|url=https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20181228000015-260407?chdtv|title=日本記者本田善彥：民進黨種族主義表露無遺|work=[[China Times]]|date=28 December 2018|language=zh-tw|quote=民進黨一旦執政，吸引文青的美好願景就變成噁心的偽善把戲與類法西斯的極右作風。}}
|{{Cite news|url=https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20221202000512-260109?chdtv|title=柯文哲的下一步|work=[[China Times]]|date=2 December 2022|language=zh-tw|quote=台灣兩大政黨其實都比較偏向傳統右派政黨，偏重維護資本家利益重視經濟發展[...]|access-date=14 December 2023|archive-date=14 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214155835/https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20221202000512-260109?chdtv|url-status=live}}}}</ref>}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Democratic Progressive Party
| t = {{linktext|民主進步黨}}
| s = {{linktext|民主进步党}}
| bpmf = ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄓㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄤˇ
| w = {{tone superscript|Min2-chu3 Chin4-pu4 Tang3}}
| p = Mínzhǔ Jìnbù Dǎng
| tp = Mín-jhǔ Jìn-bù Dǎng
| mps = Mínjǔ Jìnbù Dǎng
| gr = Minjuu Jinnbuh Daang
| poj = Bîn-chú Chìn-pō͘ Tóng
| tl = Bîn-tsú Tsìn-pōo Tóng
| h = Mìn-chú Chin-phu Tóng
| altname = DPP
| t2 = {{linktext|民進黨}}
| s2 = {{linktext|民进党}}
| bpmf2 = ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄉㄤˇ
| w2 = {{tone superscript|Min2-chin4 Tang3}}
| p2 = Mínjìn Dǎng
| tp2 = Mín-jìn Dǎng
| mps2 = Mínjìn Dǎng
| gr2 = Minjinn Daang
| poj2 = Bîn-chìn Tóng
| tl2 = Bîn-tsìn Tóng
| h2 = Mìn-chin Tóng
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|m|in|2|.|zh|u|3|-|j|in|4|.|b|u|4|-|d|ang|3}}
| mi2 = {{IPAc-cmn|m|in|2|.|j|in|4|-|d|ang|3}}
}}

The '''Democratic Progressive Party'''{{efn native lang|tw|name=word1 |t=民主進步黨 |p=Mínzhǔ Jìnbù Dǎng |m=Bîn-tsú Tsìn-pōo Tóng |s=Mìn-chú Chin-phu Tóng}} ('''DPP'''){{efn native lang|tw|name=abbr |t=民進黨 |p=Mínjìndǎng |m=Bîn-chìn Tóng |s=Mìn-chin Tóng}} is a [[Centre-left politics|centre-left]] [[Taiwanese nationalism|Taiwanese nationalist]] [[political party]] in [[Taiwan]].<ref name="economist">{{cite news |date=26 May 2018 |title=Hurry up: Taiwan's president has upset both business and workers |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2018/05/26/taiwans-president-has-upset-both-business-and-workers |url-access=registration |access-date=25 June 2018 |archive-date=25 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625075829/https://www.economist.com/asia/2018/05/26/taiwans-president-has-upset-both-business-and-workers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=解嚴後臺灣政黨的競爭策略：Downs 理論的再檢視 |url=http://www2.scu.edu.tw/politics/journal/doc/j323/1.pdf |website=Soochow University |access-date=31 August 2019 |date=5 June 2014 |archive-date=31 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831110132/http://www2.scu.edu.tw/politics/journal/doc/j323/1.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=藍與綠 台灣選民的意識型態初探 |url=https://esc.nccu.edu.tw/files/paper/117_09747810.pdf |website=Election Study Center National Chengchi University |access-date=31 August 2019 |date=May 2003 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729213830/https://esc.nccu.edu.tw/files/paper/117_09747810.pdf }}</ref> As the  dominant party in the [[Pan-Green Coalition]], one of the two main political camps in Taiwan, the DPP is currently the [[ruling party]] in Taiwan, leading a [[minority government]] that controls the [[President of the Republic of China|presidency]] and the [[Government of the Republic of China|central government]].

Founded in 1986 by [[Hsu Hsin-liang]], [[Roger Hsieh]] and Lin Shui-chuan,<ref>{{Cite news |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1986-09-25 |title=EXILES FROM TAIWAN OPPOSITION |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/25/world/exiles-from-taiwan-opposition.html |access-date=2022-08-27 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=27 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827010035/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/25/world/exiles-from-taiwan-opposition.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Three prominent Taiwan dissident politicians arrived in Tokyo today... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/11/29/Three-prominent-Taiwan-dissident-politicians-arrived-in-Tokyo-today/7019533624400/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> a year prior to the end of [[Martial law in Taiwan|martial law]], the DPP is one of two [[Major party|major parties]] in Taiwan, the other being the [[Kuomintang]] (KMT), a Chinese nationalist party previously ruling the country as a [[one-party state]], and its smaller allies in the [[Pan-Blue Coalition]]. It has traditionally been associated with a strong advocacy of [[human rights]], emerging against the authoritarian [[White Terror (Taiwan)|White Terror]] that was initiated by the KMT, as well as the promotion of [[Taiwanese nationalism]] and [[Taiwanese people|identity]]. [[Lai Ching-te]] is the current [[Chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party|chairperson of the DPP]] from 2023, who also serves as the incumbent [[President of the Republic of China|President]] and is the [[List of presidents of the Republic of China|third]] member of the DPP to hold the presidency; he succeeded fellow DPP member [[Tsai Ing-wen]] in May 2024.

The DPP is a longtime member of [[Liberal International]] and a founding member of the [[Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats]]. It represented Taiwan in the [[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]] (UNPO). The DPP is widely classified as [[Social liberalism|socially liberal]], having been founded as a party for human rights, including factions within the party supporting [[Same-sex marriage in Taiwan|same-sex marriage]] and [[LGBT rights in Taiwan|other LGBT rights]]. On foreign policy, the DPP is more willing to increase military expenditures to prevent military intimidation from the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (PRC) owing to the ambiguous [[political status of Taiwan]]. It favors closer ties with democratic nations such as [[Japan]] and the [[United States]], as well as the nations of [[ASEAN]] as part of its [[New Southbound Policy]].

In its policy on [[cross-strait relations]], the DPP as a ruling party chooses to keep the ''[[political status of Taiwan|status quo]]'' of Taiwan, instead of approaching ''de jure'' independence, despite being a pro-[[Taiwan independence movement|independence]] group in its [[party platform]]. The party considers that Taiwan is [[Huadu (Taiwan)|already a sovereign country under the name "Republic of China"]] and not subordinate to the PRC.<ref>{{cite web |title="ROC and PRC not Subordinate to each other" is a Fact and Cross-strait status quo |url=https://www.mac.gov.tw/en/News_Content.aspx?n=2BA0753CBE348412&sms=E828F60C4AFBAF90&s=B0E7F4592FFE89DC |date=13 October 2021 |access-date=28 September 2024 |publisher=[[Mainland Affairs Council]] }}</ref> The DPP is frequently accused by the [[Government of China|PRC government]] of being a primary force in Taiwan to "prevent the Chinese nation from achieving [[Chinese unification|complete reunification]]" and "halt the process of national rejuvenation"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full Text: The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era |url=http://ae.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/dshd/202208/t20220810_10740525.htm |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=ae.china-embassy.gov.cn |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417122054/http://ae.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/dshd/202208/t20220810_10740525.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> due to the party's outspoken advocacy of the [[Taiwanese nationalism]], Taiwanese [[self-determination]],<ref>{{Cite web |title= Resolution on Taiwan's Future |url=https://www.dpp.org.tw/en/upload/download/Resolutions.pdf|access-date=2023-07-29 |website=www.dpp.org.tw/en/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MOFA rebuts China's false claims concerning Taiwan's sovereignty |url=https://en.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=1328&s=97750 |publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)]] |date=2022-04-26 |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=en.mofa.gov.tw |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729122358/https://en.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=1328&s=97750 |url-status=live }}</ref> and its firm opposition to "[[One China]]", including the alleged "[[1992 Consensus]]" narratives by both the PRC and the KMT.

==History==
The DPP's roots were in the [[Tangwai movement|''Tangwai'' movement]], which formed in opposition to the [[Kuomintang]]'s [[One-party state|one-party]] [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian rule]] under the "[[Dang Guo|party-state]]" system during [[Martial law in Taiwan|martial law]]. This movement culminated in the formation of the DPP as an alternative, but still illegal, party on 28 September 1986 by eighteen organizing members at [[Grand Hotel (Taipei)|Grand Hotel Taipei]], with a total of 132 people joining the party in attendance. The new party members contested the [[1986 Taiwan legislative election|1986 election]] as "nonpartisan" candidates since competing parties would remain illegal until the following year.  These early members of the party, like the ''tangwai'', drew heavily from the ranks of family members and defense lawyers of political prisoners, as well as intellectuals and artists who had spent time abroad. These individuals were strongly committed to political change toward democracy and freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lu|first1=Lu Hsin-hui|last2=Kuo|first2=Chung-han|title=DPP should clarify its cross-strait policy: founding member|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201609280026.aspx|access-date=29 September 2016|agency=Central News Agency|date=28 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001032028/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201609280026.aspx|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chung|first1=Li-hua|last2=Chin|first2=Jonathan|title=DPP members say party must discuss core values|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/09/30/2003656223|access-date=30 September 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=30 September 2016|archive-date=30 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930172744/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/09/30/2003656223|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''tangwai'' were not a unified political unit and consisted of factions which carried over into the early DPP.  At its founding the DPP consisted of three factions: the Kang group, a moderate faction led by [[Kang Ning-hsiang]], [[New Tide faction]], consisting of intellectuals and social activists led by [[Wu Nai-ren]] and [[Chiou I-jen]], and the Progress Faction led by [[Lin Cheng-chieh]], a ''[[waishengren]]'' opposed to independence.  Moderates would later coalesce around the Formosa faction, founded by those arrested during the [[Formosa Incident]] after their release from prison.  In the early days of the party, the Formosa faction focused on winning elections by wielding the star power of its leaders, while New Tide would focus on ideological mobilization and developing grassroots support for social movements.  As a result, the Formosa faction would become more moderate, often bending to public opinion, while New Tide would become more ideologically cohesive.  By 1988 the Formosa Faction would dominate high-level positions within the party.<ref>{{cite book|author1-link=Shelley Rigger  |last1=Rigger |first1=Shelley |title=From Opposition to Power: Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party |date=1 May 2001 |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |isbn=978-1-55587-969-3| pages=21–27}}</ref>

The party did not at the outset give explicit support to an [[Taiwan independence movement|independent Taiwanese national identity]], partially because moderates such as [[Hsu Hsin-liang]] were concerned that such a move that could have invited a violent crackdown by the Kuomintang and alienate voters, but also because some members such as [[Lin Cheng-chieh]] supported unification.  Partially due to their waning influence within the party and partially due to their ideological commitment, between 1988 and 1991 the New Tide Faction would push the independence issue, bolstered by the return of pro-independence activists from overseas who were previously barred from Taiwan.  In 1991, in order to head off the New Tide, party chairman [[Hsu Hsin-liang]] of the moderate Formosa faction agreed to include language in the party charter which advocated for the drafting of a new constitution as well as declaration of a new [[Republic of Taiwan]] via referendum (which resulted in many pro-unification members leaving the party).<ref name="rigger27-32">{{cite book |last1=Rigger |first1=Shelley |title=From Opposition to Power: Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party |date=1 May 2001 |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |isbn=978-1-55587-969-3 |pages=27–35}}</ref><ref name="1991article">{{cite journal |last1=Fell |first1=Dafydd |author1-link=Dafydd Fell |title=Measuring and Explaining Party Change in Taiwan: 1991–2004 |journal=Journal of East Asian Studies |date=2005 |volume=5 |issue=1 |page=112 |doi=10.1017/S1598240800006275 |jstor=23417889 |s2cid=153572606}}</ref>  However, the party would quickly begin to walk back on this language, and eventually in 1999 the party congress passed a [[Resolution on Taiwan's Future|resolution]] that Taiwan was already an independent country, under the official name "Republic of China", and that any constitutional changes should be approved by the people via referendum, while emphasizing the use of the name "Taiwan" in international settings.<ref name="resolution">{{cite web |title=DPP Party Convention |url=http://www.taiwandc.org/nws-9920.htm |access-date=18 December 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610173456/http://www.taiwandc.org/nws-9920.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Despite its lack of electoral success, the pressure that the DPP created on the ruling KMT via its demands are widely credited in the political reforms of the 1990s, most notably the [[direct popular election]] of Republic of China's [[President of the Republic of China|president]] and all representatives in the [[National Assembly of the Republic of China|National Assembly]] and [[Legislative Yuan]], as well as the ability to openly discuss events from the past such as the [[February 28 Incident]] and its long aftermath of [[White Terror (Taiwan)|martial law]], and space for a greater variety of political views and advocacy.  Once the DPP had representation in the [[Legislative Yuan]], the party used the legislature as a forum to challenge the ruling KMT.

In 1996, DPP Chairman [[Shih Ming-teh]] united with the [[New Party (Taiwan)|New Party]] to run for the President of the Legislative Yuan, but lost by one vote. The vote that was missing was legislator [[Chang Chin-cheng]]'s failure to vote for Shih. As a result, Chang was expelled from the DPP.

Post-democratization, the DPP shifted their focus to anti-corruption issues, in particular regarding KMT connections to organized crime as well as "party assets" illegally acquired from the government during martial law.<ref name="rigger-39-49">{{cite book |last1=Rigger |first1=Shelley |title=Taiwan's Democracy Challenged: The Chen Shui-bian Years |date=22 June 2016 |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |isbn=978-1-62637-404-1 |page=42}}</ref>  Meanwhile, factions continued to form within the DPP as a mechanism for coalition-building within the party; notably, future President [[Chen Shui-bian]] would form the [[Justice Alliance faction]].

===2000–2008: in minority government===
[[File:Chen Shui-bian from VOA.jpg|thumb|right|Former President Chen Shui-bian, the first DPP [[President of the Republic of China|President]] (2000–2008)]]

The DPP won the presidency with the [[2000 Taiwan presidential election|election]] of [[Chen Shui-bian]] in March 2000 with a plurality, due to [[Pan-Blue]] voters splitting their vote between the Kuomintang and independent candidate [[James Soong]], ending 91 years of KMT rule in the Republic of China. Chen softened the party's stance on independence to appeal to moderate voters, appease the United States, and placate China. He also promised not to [[Four Noes and One Without|change the ROC state symbols or declare formal independence]] as long as the [[China|People's Republic of China]] did not attack Taiwan.  Further, he advocated for economic exchange with China as well as the establishment of transportation links.<ref name="rigger-39-49" />

In 2001, the DPP ran an advertisement promoting the party that featured [[Adolf Hitler]] and others in an attempt to encourage young people to engage with politics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yang |first=Meng-yu |date=July 18, 2001 |title=DPP suspends controversial party ad |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/trad/hi/newsid_1440000/newsid_1445700/1445723.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803094016/http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/trad/hi/newsid_1440000/newsid_1445700/1445723.stm |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=BBC Chinese |language=Chinese}}</ref> The DPP initially responded to criticism from the Israeli and [[German Institute Taipei|German]] representative offices in Taiwan by saying the advertisement was meant to highlight "people who dared to express their opinions," and claimed some had deliberately misrepresented the content. The DPP's then chair [[Frank Hsieh]] later said the advertisement would be retired to avoid causing misunderstanding among [[Victims of Nazi Germany|victims]] of [[Nazism]].  

In 2002, the DPP became the first party other than the KMT to reach a plurality in the Legislative Yuan following the [[2001 Taiwan legislative election|2001 legislative election]]. However, a majority coalition between the KMT, [[People First Party (Republic of China)|People First Party]], and [[New Party (Republic of China)|New Party]] prevented it from taking control of the chamber.  This coalition was at odds with the presidency from the beginning, and led to President Chen's abandonment of the centrist positions that he ran his campaign on.<ref name="rigger-39-49" />

In 2003, Chen announced a campaign to draft a referendum law as well as a new constitution, a move which appealed to the fundamentalist wing of the DPP.  By now, the New Tide faction had begun to favor pragmatic approaches to their pro-independence goals and dominated decision-making positions within the party.  By contrast, grassroots support was divided largely between moderate and fundamentalist wings.  Though Chen's plans for a referendum on a new constitution were scuttled by the legislature, he did manage to include a largely symbolic [[2004 Taiwanese cross-Strait relations referendum|referendum on the PRC military threat]] to coincide with the [[2004 Taiwan presidential election|2004 presidential election]].<ref name="rigger-39-49" />  [[President of the Republic of China|President]] Chen Shui-bian would be narrowly re-elected in 2004 after an [[3-19 shooting incident|assassination attempt]] the day before the election, and in the [[2004 Taiwan legislative election|later legislative election]], the pan-blue coalition opposition retained control of the chamber.

President Chen's moves sparked a debate within the party between fundamentalists and moderates who were concerned that voters would abandon their party.  The fundamentalists won out, and as a result the DPP would largely follow Chen's lead.  The DPP suffered a significant election defeat in nationwide [[2005 Taiwanese local elections|local and county elections in December 2005]], while the pan-blue coalition captured 16 of 23 county and city government offices under the leadership of popular [[Taipei]] mayor and KMT Party Chairman [[Ma Ying-jeou]].  Moderates within the party would blame this loss on the party's fundamentalist turn.<ref name="rigger-39-49" />

The results led to a shake up of the party leadership. [[Su Tseng-chang]] resigned as DPP chairman soon after election results were announced. Su had pledged to step down if the DPP lost either Taipei County or failed to win 10 of the 23 mayor/magistrate positions. Vice President [[Annette Lu]] was appointed acting DPP leader. Presidential Office Secretary-General [[Yu Shyi-kun]] was elected in a [[2006 Democratic Progressive Party chairmanship election|three-way race]] against legislator [[Chai Trong-rong]] and [[Wong Chin-chu]] with 54.4% of the vote.

Premier [[Frank Hsieh]], DPP election organizer and former mayor of [[Kaohsiung]] twice tendered a verbal resignation immediately following the election, but his resignation was not accepted by President Chen until 17 January 2006 after the DPP chairmanship election had concluded. The former DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang was appointed to replace Hsieh as premier. Hsieh and his cabinet resigned en masse on 24 January to make way for Su and his new cabinet. President Chen had offered the position of Presidential Office Secretary-General (vacated by Su) to the departing premier, but Hsieh declined and left office criticizing President Chen for his tough line on dealing with China.

In 2005, following the passage of the [[Anti-Secession Law]], the Chen administration issued a statement asserting the position that Taiwan's future should be decided by the people on Taiwan only.<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=Mainland Affairs Council, ROC Executive Yuan |date=29 March 2005 |title=The Official Position of the Republic of China on China's Passing of the Anti-secession (Anti-Separation) Law |url=http://www.mac.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=68048&ctNode=5910&mp=3 |quote=Section II-2: "'The Republic of China is an independent and sovereign state. Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to the 23 million people of Taiwan. Only the 23&nbsp;million citizens of Taiwan may decide on the future of Taiwan.' This statement represents the greatest consensus within Taiwan's society today concerning the issues of national sovereignty and the future of Taiwan. It is also a common position shared by both the ruling and opposition parties in Taiwan. A recent opinion poll shows that more than 90% of the people of Taiwan agree with this position. |access-date=16 February 2021 |archive-date=19 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219111550/http://www.mac.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=68048&ctNode=5910&mp=3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Separate identity from China====
On 30 September 2007, the DPP approved a [[Resolution (law)|resolution]] asserting a separate identity from China and called for the enactment of a new constitution for a "normal nation". It struck an accommodating tone by advocating general use of "[[Taiwan]]" as the country's name without calling for abandonment of the name Republic of China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-09-30-taiwan_N.htm|title=Taiwan party asserts separate identity from China - USATODAY.com|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com|access-date=5 August 2015|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016030922/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-09-30-taiwan_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:蔡英文官方元首肖像照.png|thumb|right|250px|[[Tsai Ing-wen]], the second DPP [[President of the Republic of China|President]] (2016–2024) and the leader of the DPP (2008–2022). Tsai is the first female leader of the DPP.]]

===2008–2016: return to opposition===
In the national elections held in early months of 2008, the DPP won less than 25% of the seats (38.2% vote share) in the new Legislative Yuan while its presidential candidate, former [[Kaohsiung]] mayor [[Frank Hsieh]], lost to KMT candidate [[Ma Ying-jeou]] by a wide margin (41.55% vs. 58.45%).  In May, the DPP elected moderate [[Tsai Ing-wen]] as their new leader over fundamentalist [[Koo Kwang-ming]].<ref name="rigger-39-49" />  Tsai became the first female leader of the DPP and the first female leader to lead a major party in Taiwan.

The first months since backed to the opposition were dominated by press coverage of the travails of [[Chen Shui-bian]] and his wife [[Wu Shu-jen]]. On 15 August 2008, Chen resigned from the DPP and apologized: "Today I have to say sorry to all of the DPP members and supporters. I let everyone down, caused you humiliation and failed to meet your expectations. My acts have caused irreparable damage to the party. I love the DPP deeply and am proud of being a DPP member. To express my deepest regrets to all DPP members and supporters, I announce my withdrawal from the DPP immediately. My wife Wu Shu-jen is also withdrawing from the party." DPP Chairperson followed with a public statement on behalf of the party: "In regard to Chen and his wife's decision to withdraw from the party and his desire to shoulder responsibility for his actions as well as to undergo an investigation by the party's anti-corruption committee, we respect his decision and accept it."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2008/08/17/former-taiwan-president-resigns-from-party-over-corruption-charges|title=pacificmagazine.net, Former Republic of China President Resigns From Party Over Corruption Charges}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The DPP vowed to reflect on public misgivings towards the party. Chairperson Tsai insisted on the need for the party to remember its history, defend the Republic of China's sovereignty and national security, and maintain its confidence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/080827/1/14w0t.html|title=中廣 via Yahoo! News, 媒體民調僅剩11趴 民進黨：虛心檢討}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/080827/58/14wkq.html|title=央廣 via Yahoo! News, 民進黨支持度剩11%？ 蔡英文：覺得信心還在}}</ref>

The party re-emerged as a voice in Taiwan's political debate when Ma's administration reached the end of its first year in office. The DPP marked the anniversary with massive rallies in Taipei and Kaohsiung. Tsai's address to the crowd in Taipei on 17 May proclaimed a "citizens' movement to protect Republic of China" seeking to "protect our democracy and protect Republic of China."<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://dpptaiwan.wordpress.com/2009/05/17/tsai-ing-wens-opening-speech-at-the-517-rally/| title=Tsai Ing-wen's Opening Speech at the 517 Rally| date=17 May 2009| access-date=3 June 2009| archive-date=18 July 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092653/http://dpptaiwan.wordpress.com/2009/05/17/tsai-ing-wens-opening-speech-at-the-517-rally/| url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2016–2024: in majority government ===
On 16 January 2016, Taiwan held [[2016 Taiwanese presidential election|a general election for its presidency]] and [[2016 Taiwanese legislative election|for the Legislative Yuan]]. The DPP gained the presidential seat, with the election of Tsai Ing-wen, who received 56.12% of the votes, while her opponent [[Eric Chu]] gained 31.2%.<ref>{{cite web|title = Taiwan gets first female President as DPP sweeps election|url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/taiwan-gets-first-female/2432040.html|website = Channel NewsAsia|access-date = 16 January 2016|archive-date = 16 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160116134410/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/taiwan-gets-first-female/2432040.html}}</ref> In addition, the DPP gained a majority of the Legislative Yuan, winning 68 seats in the 113-seat legislature, up from 40 in 2012 election, thus giving them the majority for the first time in its history.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hsiao |first=Alison |date=17 January 2016 |title=ELECTIONS: DPP to control Legislative Yuan |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/01/17/2003637414 |newspaper=Taipei Times |page=6 |access-date=16 January 2016 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129172034/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/01/17/2003637414 |url-status=live }}</ref>

President Tsai won reelection in the [[2020 Taiwanese presidential election]] on 11 January 2020, and the Democratic Progressive Party retained its legislative majority, [[2020 Taiwanese legislative election|winning 61 seats]].

=== 2024–present: return to minority government ===
The 13 January 2024 [[2024 Taiwanese presidential election|presidential election]] and [[2024 Taiwanese legislative election|legislative elections]] led to the election of [[Lai Ching-te]] who won with 40.1% of the votes, while his opponents, [[Hou Yu-ih]] of the KMT had 33.5% of the votes, and [[Ko Wen-je]] of the [[Taiwan People's Party]] with 26.5% of the vote. In addition, this election made the DPP the first party to win three consecutive presidential terms since direct elections were introduced in [[1996 Taiwanese presidential election|1996]]. The DPP was unable to retain its majority in the Legislative Yuan, losing ten seats.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chen|last2=Sam|last3=Lin|first1=Spe|first2=Cedric|first3=Jeremy C.F.|date=January 13, 2024|title=Taiwan Election Live Results|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-taiwan-election/|work=Bloomberg|access-date=13 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113045015/https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-taiwan-election/|archive-date=13 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Tan|first=Clement|date=13 January 2024|title=China skeptic Lai Ching-te wins Taiwan's presidential election|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/13/taiwan-2024-election-dpps-lai-ching-te-wins.html|access-date=13 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113122917/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/13/taiwan-2024-election-dpps-lai-ching-te-wins.html|archive-date=13 January 2024|work=CNBC}}</ref>

==Ideology and policies==
{{Taiwan independence movement|Extant parties}}
{{Progressivism sidebar}}
The DPP's political position is [[Centre-left politics|center-left]],<ref name="anticom">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PecLEAAAQBAJ&q=taiwan+centre-left+Democratic+Progressive+Party&pg=PT129 |title=Introducing East Asia: History, Politics, Economy and Society |date=2020 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-317-40992-2 |editor=Carin Holroyd |quote=Launched in 1986, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is one of the two main political parties in Taiwan. The DPP is a centre-left, pan-Green party with a Taiwanese nationalist, strongly antiCommunist focus.}}</ref><ref>{{bulleted list|{{cite book|editor=Stephen Mills |title=The Australian Financial Review Asian Business Insight |quote=... the charade that Taiwan is simply a province of China-such as the centre-left Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ...|date=1994 |page=80 }}|{{cite journal|first=Dongtao|last=Qi|quote=Furthermore, the studies also suggest that the DPP, as a center-left party opposed to the center-right KMT, has been the leading force in addressing Taiwan's various social justice issues.|doi=10.1017/S0305741013001124|title=Globalization, Social Justice Issues, Political and Economic Nationalism in Taiwan: An Explanation of the Limited Resurgence of the DPP during 2008–2012|date=11 November 2013|journal=[[The China Quarterly]]|volume=216|pages=1018&ndash;1044|s2cid=154336295}}|{{cite journal|issn=1932-8036|url=https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/2820|title=Celebrity Political Endorsement Effects: A Perspective on the Social Distance of Political Parties|first=Hsuan-Yi|last=Chou|volume=9|journal=[[International Journal of Communication]]|date=30 January 2015 |page=24 |access-date=26 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226031653/https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/2820|archive-date=26 December 2019}}|{{cite web |url=http://jppgnet.com/journals/jppg/Vol_2_No_2_June_2014/11.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321074013/http://jppgnet.com/journals/jppg/Vol_2_No_2_June_2014/11.pdf |archive-date=2020-03-21 |url-status=live |title=The Heuristic Value of the Left—Right Schema in East Asia |author=W Jou |work=American Research Institute for Policy Development |quote=KMT voters in 2001 scored both the left-wing Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and center-left Democratic Progressive Party above 5.0, ... |date=2010 }}|{{cite journal|url=http://www.sppir.uav.ro/?p=53|title=Taiwanese consciousness vs. Chinese consciousness: The national identity and the dilemma of polarizing society in Taiwan|first=Li-Li|last=Huang|pages=119–132|volume=1|issue=1|journal=Societal and Political Psychology International Review|date=23 June 2010 |access-date=26 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216001942/http://www.sppir.uav.ro/?p=53|archive-date=16 February 2020}}|{{cite book |editor=Dongtao Qi |title=The Taiwan Independence Movement In And Out Power |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=82jFCwAAQBAJ&q=taiwan+centre-left+DPP&pg=PA245 |quote=... two party-dominated system, with the center-right KMT and the center-left DPP, has been institutionalized in Taiwan. |date=2016 |page=245 |publisher=[[World Scientific]] |isbn=978-981-4689-44-1 |access-date=3 May 2021 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412115117/https://books.google.com/books?id=82jFCwAAQBAJ&q=taiwan+centre-left+DPP&pg=PA245 |url-status=live }}|{{cite book |editor=Catherine Jones Finer |title=Comparing the Social Policy Experience of Britain and Taiwan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vn10DwAAQBAJ&q=taiwan+centre-left+Democratic+Progressive+Party&pg=PT16 |quote=Taiwan's main, centre-left, party of opposition (the Democratic Progressive Party) has been committed to securing formal independence for Taiwan from the communist mainland, for all that its latest election success (March 2000) ... |date=2020 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-351-79397-1 }}|{{cite web |url=https://theconversation.com/populism-comes-to-taiwan-in-election-focused-on-future-relationship-with-china-129198 |website=The Conversation |title=Populism comes to Taiwan in election focused on future relationship with China |quote=The DPP, on the other hand, is a centre-left party that pushes for Taiwanese autonomy from China and stays closer to the Americans. |date=10 January 2020 |access-date=19 June 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620072519/https://theconversation.com/populism-comes-to-taiwan-in-election-focused-on-future-relationship-with-china-129198 |url-status=live }}}}</ref><ref name="economist" /><ref name="Jacobin magazine">{{cite news |date=10 January 2020 |title=Viewing Taiwan From the Left |work=[[Jacobin magazine]] |url=https://jacobinmag.com/2020/01/taiwan-elections-hong-kong-protests-china-dpp-kmt |access-date=6 May 2020 |archive-date=26 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226000501/https://jacobinmag.com/2020/01/taiwan-elections-hong-kong-protests-china-dpp-kmt |url-status=live }}</ref> but it is also specified as [[Centrism|centrist]]<ref>{{bulleted list|{{cite book|last1=Derbyshire|first1=J. Denis|last2=Derbyshire|first2=Ian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RyAGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA108|volume=1|title=Encyclopedia of World Political Systems|page=108|publisher=Routledge|date=15 April 2016|isbn=978-1-3174-7156-1|access-date=10 January 2020|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412115115/https://books.google.com/books?id=RyAGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA108|url-status=live}}|{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nFjPNItB6kAC|title=The Economist|page=58|publisher=Economist Newspaper Limited|date=2011|access-date=10 January 2020|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412115106/https://books.google.com/books?id=nFjPNItB6kAC|url-status=live}}|{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nLAgAQAAMAAJ&q=dpp+centrist|title=Business Asia|page=40|publisher=[[Business International Corporation]]|date=2001|access-date=24 December 2020|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412115120/https://books.google.com/books?id=nLAgAQAAMAAJ&q=dpp+centrist|url-status=live}}|{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2002/taiwan|title=Taiwan|work=[[Freedom in the World]] 2002|publisher=[[Freedom House]]|date=2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226012925/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2002/taiwan|archive-date=26 December 2019|access-date=26 December 2019}}}}</ref> or [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]].<ref>{{cite book |editor1=David T Johnson |editor2=Franklin E Zimring |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Next_Frontier/nZY8E6n-JAAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22left-wing%22+%22DPP%22+Taiwan&pg=PA222 |title=The Next Frontier: National Development, Political Change, and the Death Penalty in Asia |quote=In the middle-range future of an independent Taiwan, the prospects for formal abolition are closely tied to the fortunes of the left-wing DPP, which is now committed by its leadership to that goal. |page=222 |date=December 29, 2008 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor=Fen-ling Chen |title=Working Women and State Policies in Taiwan: A Study in Political Economy |page=158 |date=September 29, 2000 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1=Kathleen Gallagher |editor2=Dirk J. Rodricks |editor3=Kelsey Jacobson |title=Global Youth Citizenry and Radical Hope: Enacting Community-Engaged Research Through Performative Methodologies |quote=DPP has been seen as generally left-wing and advocates for Taiwanese independence |page=2020 |date=2020 |publisher=Springer Nature Singapore }}</ref> The DPP is generally described as [[Progressivism|progressive]].<ref>{{cite web |date=12 January 2020 |title=Democracy prevails in Taiwan |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3855810 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114142120/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3855810 |archive-date=14 January 2020 |access-date=7 July 2020 |publisher=[[Taiwan News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 May 2020 |title=With Tsai's Inauguration Over – The Work Begins |url=https://thetaiwantimes.com/with-tsais-inauguration-over-the-work-begins/2762 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716124225/https://thetaiwantimes.com/with-tsais-inauguration-over-the-work-begins/2762 |archive-date=16 July 2020 |access-date=7 July 2020 |work=[[Taiwan Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=20 November 2019 |title=Why Do Taiwanese Empathize With Hong Kong Protesters? |url=https://international.thenewslens.com/article/127768 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707102214/https://international.thenewslens.com/article/127768 |archive-date=7 July 2020 |access-date=7 July 2020 |work=[[The News Lens]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 January 2020 |title=Progressives: Taiwan Would Like Your Attention |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/taiwan-china-election-progressive/ |access-date=7 July 2020 |work=[[The Nation]] |archive-date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707164843/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/taiwan-china-election-progressive/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="progressive" /> It has also been described as [[Liberalism|liberal]],<ref name="progressive">{{cite book |title=Policy Analysis in Taiwan |date=2018 |publisher=Policy Press |editor=Kuo, Yu-Ying |quote=The Democratic Progressive Party, founded in 1986 by [[Hsu Hsin-liang]], [[Hsieh Tsung-min]] and [[Lin Shui-chuan]], is a progressive and liberal political party in Taiwan.}}</ref><ref name="SD">{{cite book |title=Taiwan International Review, Volume 5 |date=1999 |publisher=Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan, Mission in the United States |page=13 |quote=The DPP resembles a cross - mix of Western social democratic and liberal values .}}</ref> as well as [[Social democracy|social democratic]].<ref name="SD" /><ref>{{cite news |date=20 May 2020 |title=Terry Glavin: Taiwan and its courageous leader a rare bright spot in our dreary COVID world |newspaper=National Post |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/terry-glavin-taiwan-and-its-courageous-leader-a-rare-bright-spot-in-our-dreary-covid-world |access-date=19 June 2020 |quote=President Tsai went into Wednesday's ceremony with an approval rating of 70.3 per cent after besting her opponents in a landslide re-election in January, all the while quietly enduring Beijing's subversive efforts to unseat her and Xi Jinping's constant threats of war and occupation.The Taiwanese have been blessed with four years of Tsai's avowedly liberal, mildly social-democratic and happily free-enterprise government. |url-status=live |archive-url= https://archive.today/20200520192115/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/terry-glavin-taiwan-and-its-courageous-leader-a-rare-bright-spot-in-our-dreary-covid-world |archive-date= 20 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4c1a1fKz4YkC&dq=Taiwan%27s+Democracy+on+Trial%3A+Political+Change+During+the+Chen+Shui-bian+Era+and+Beyond.+University+Press+of+America+socialist+DPP&pg=PA37 |title=Taiwan's Democracy on Trial: Political Change During the Chen Shui-bian Era and Beyond |date=2012 |publisher=University Press of America |isbn=978-0-7618-5320-6 |editor=John Franklin Copper |page=37 |quote=The DPP advanced a socialist agenda; the KMT copied much of it in order to preempt the DPP's program and weaken the DPP's political appeal. As it did this Taiwan became more and more a Western (social) democracy. |access-date=8 December 2021 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412115121/https://books.google.com/books?id=4c1a1fKz4YkC&dq=Taiwan%27s+Democracy+on+Trial%3A+Political+Change+During+the+Chen+Shui-bian+Era+and+Beyond.+University+Press+of+America+socialist+DPP&pg=PA37 |url-status=live }}</ref> The party takes a [[Taiwanese nationalism|Taiwanese nationalist]] position, advocating for strengthening Taiwanese identity;<ref name="anticom" /> the party opposes the KMT and mainland China's pan-[[Chinese nationalism]], and criticizes China's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan as '[[Neocolonialism|colonialism]]' or '[[Chinese imperialism|imperialism]]'.<ref name="Baogang He">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wEMkDQAAQBAJ&dq=anti-imperialist+DPP+taiwan&pg=PT154 |author=Baogang He |title=Governing Taiwan and Tibet: Democratic Approaches |quote=In the DPP's anti-China and anti-KMT message, the KMT is represented as equivalent to China, while 'democracy' is linked to Taiwanese nationalism. The DPP used the language of colonialism and imperialism to portray China's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. |date=July 8, 2015 |publisher=[[Edinburgh University Press]] |isbn=978-1-4744-0498-3 |access-date=15 August 2024 |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826230857/https://books.google.com/books?id=wEMkDQAAQBAJ&dq=anti-imperialist+DPP+taiwan&pg=PT154 |url-status=live }}</ref> The party also defines its own identity as an "[[Anti-communism#Taiwan|anti-communist]]" in the context of [[Anti–People's Republic of China sentiment|opposition to the PRC]] and [[United front in Taiwan|united front]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Taiwan opposition parliamentarians survive major recall election |quote=Wu Szu-yao, secretary general of the DPP's legislative caucus, said the party respected the voters' decision with pleasure, adding the result would only strengthen the DPP's "anti-communist and pro-Taiwan" stance. |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-27/taiwan-opposition-survive-recall-motion/105578796 |agency=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=July 27, 2025 |access-date=July 29, 2025}}</ref>

Programs supported by the party include moderate [[social welfare]] policies involving the rights of women, senior citizens, children, young people, labor, minorities, indigenous peoples, farmers, and other disadvantaged sectors of the society. Furthermore, its platform includes a legal and political order based on human rights and democracy; balanced economic and financial administration; fair and open social welfare; educational and cultural reform; and, independent defense and peaceful foreign policy with closer ties to the United States and Japan. The party is socially liberal<ref name="SD" /><ref name="casey">{{cite web |last=Casey |first=Michael |date=12 June 2016 |title=Time to Start Worrying about Taiwan |url=http://nationalinterest.org/feature/time-start-worrying-about-taiwan-16551 |access-date=9 February 2018 |website=The National Interest |quote=The DPP's ideology emphasizes Taiwanese nationalism and the notion of a Taiwan that is politically and culturally distinct from mainland China. It also advocates social liberalism and is commonly associated with small- to medium-sized companies and organized labor. While the DPP wishes for greater independence from mainland China, the party is divided on the nature of that independence. |archive-date=9 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182244/http://nationalinterest.org/feature/time-start-worrying-about-taiwan-16551 |url-status=live }}</ref> and has a progressive stance that includes support for [[gender equality]] and [[Same-sex marriage in Taiwan|same-sex marriage]] under Tsai's leadership, and also has a conservative base that includes support from the [[Presbyterian Church in Taiwan]].

=== Stance on Taiwanese independence ===
The primary political axis in Taiwan involves the issue of [[Taiwan independence]] versus [[Chinese unification]]. Although the differences tend to be portrayed in polarized terms, both major coalitions have developed modified, nuanced and often complex positions. Though opposed in the philosophical origins, the practical differences between such positions can sometimes be subtle.

The current official position of the party is that Taiwan is an independent and sovereign country whose territory consists of Taiwan and its surrounding smaller islands and whose sovereignty derives only from the ROC citizens living in Taiwan (similar philosophy of [[self-determination]]), based on the 1999 "[[Resolution on Taiwan's Future]]". It considers Taiwan an independent nation under the name of Republic of China, making a formal declaration of independence unnecessary.<ref name="resolution" />  Though calls for drafting a new constitution and a declaration of a Republic of Taiwan was written into the party charter in 1991,<ref name="1991article" /> the 1999 resolution has practically superseded the earlier charter.  The DPP rejects the so-called "[[One China principle]]" [[1992 Consensus|defined in 1992]] as the basis for official diplomatic relations with the PRC and advocates a Taiwanese national identity which is separate from mainland China.<ref name="92c">{{cite web |title=DPP denies existence of '1992 consensus' |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/12/25/2003491835 |website=[[Taipei Times]] |date=25 December 2010 |access-date=18 December 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802211135/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/12/25/2003491835 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By contrast, the KMT or pan-blue coalition agrees that the Republic of China is an independent and sovereign country that is not part of the PRC, but argues that a one China principle (with different definitions across the strait) can be used as the basis for talks with China. The KMT also opposes Taiwan independence and argues that efforts to establish a Taiwanese national identity separated from the Chinese national identity are unnecessary and needlessly provocative. Some KMT conservative officials have called efforts from DPP "[[Anti-Chinese sentiment#Taiwan|anti-China]]" (opposing migrants from mainland China, who DPP officials did not recognize as Taiwanese, but Chinese). At the other end of the political spectrum, the acceptance by the DPP of the symbols of the Republic of China is opposed by the [[Taiwan Solidarity Union]].

The first years of the DPP as the ruling party drew accusations from the opposition as a self-styled Taiwanese nationalist party, the DPP was itself inadequately sensitive to the ethnographic diversity of Taiwan's population. Where the KMT had been guilty of "Chinese [[chauvinism]]", the critics charged, the DPP might offer nothing more as a remedy than "[[Hoklo chauvinism]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Island the Left Neglected |url=https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/island-left-neglected-taiwan-dppp-tsai |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=Dissent Magazine |archive-date=11 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911040435/https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/island-left-neglected-taiwan-dppp-tsai |url-status=live }}</ref>  The DPP argues that its efforts to promote a Taiwanese national identity are merely an effort to normalize a Taiwanese identity repressed during years of authoritarian Kuomintang rule.

=== Support ===

Since the democratization of Taiwan in the 1990s, the DPP has had its strongest performance in the [[Taiwanese Hokkien|Hokkien]]-speaking counties and cities of Taiwan, compared with the predominantly [[Taiwanese Hakka|Hakka]] and [[Taiwanese Mandarin|Mandarin]]-speaking counties, that tend to support the [[Kuomintang]].

The deep-rooted hostility between [[Taiwanese aborigines]] and (Taiwanese) Hoklo, and the effective KMT networks within aboriginal communities contribute to aboriginal skepticism against the DPP and the aboriginals' tendency to vote for the KMT.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Damm|first1=Jens|editor1-last=Damm|editor1-first=Jens|editor2-last=Lim|editor2-first=Paul|title=European perspectives on Taiwan|date=2012|publisher=Springer VS|location=Wiesbaden|isbn=978-3-531-94303-9|page=95|chapter=Multiculturalism in Taiwan and the Influence of Europe}}</ref> Aboriginals have criticized politicians for abusing the "indigenization" movement for political gains, such as aboriginal opposition to the DPP's "rectification" by recognizing the Truku for political reasons, where the Atayal and Seediq slammed the Truku for their name rectification.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=0t_CU9gmi8cC&dq=truku&pg=PA220 ed. Vinding 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412115332/https://books.google.com/books?id=0t_CU9gmi8cC&dq=truku&pg=PA220 |date=12 April 2023 }}, p. 220.</ref> In 2008, the majority of mountain townships voted for [[Ma Ying-jeou]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOusAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA28 Simon 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412115102/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOusAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA28 |date=12 April 2023 }}, p. 28.</ref> However, the DPP share of the aboriginal vote has been rising.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://frozengarlic.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/dpp-vote-share-in-aboriginal-townships/|title=DPP vote share in Aboriginal townships|date=30 November 2014|website=Frozen Garlic|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-date=11 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411060055/https://frozengarlic.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/dpp-vote-share-in-aboriginal-townships/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nationalia.info/new/10792/taiwan-president-to-apologize-to-aboriginal-people-promises-law-on-autonomy|title=Taiwan president to apologize to Aboriginal people, promises law on autonomy|work=Nationalia|access-date=10 April 2017|language=ca|archive-date=11 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411055828/http://www.nationalia.info/new/10792/taiwan-president-to-apologize-to-aboriginal-people-promises-law-on-autonomy|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Corruption ==
The DPP has been plagued by several [[Black gold (politics)|corruption scandals]] which has increased feelings amongst voters that fraud is an acceptable practice within the party.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Fu Kun-chi |title=2024-05-07 |url=https://www.ly.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=54301&pid=240385 |website=Legislative Yuan, Republic of China |date=23 July 2013 |access-date=24 August 2024 |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824173646/https://www.ly.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=54301&pid=240385 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="China Times 2023-12-23">{{Cite news |date=2023-12-23 |script-title=zh:民進黨乾淨嗎？ |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%B0%91%E9%80%B2%E9%BB%A8%E4%B9%BE%E6%B7%A8%E5%97%8E-201000138.html |newspaper=China Times |location=Taiwan |via=Yahoo! News |access-date=24 August 2024 |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824172146/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%B0%91%E9%80%B2%E9%BB%A8%E4%B9%BE%E6%B7%A8%E5%97%8E-201000138.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bradsher |first1=Keith |title=Protesters Fuel a Long-Shot Bid to Oust Taiwan's Leader |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/28/world/asia/28taiwan.html |access-date=5 May 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=28 September 2006}}</ref> 

Former DPP president of Taiwan [[Chen Shui-bian]] has also been involved in a raft of corruption scandals that continue to affect the party's reputation. Chen was sentenced to life imprisonment on  corruption charges in 2009 that his supporters said were politically motivated. Chen was acquitted of embezzling millions of [[New Taiwan dollar|New Taiwan Dollars]] from a special presidential fund while he was in power, but was found guilty of money laundering and forging documents, and was given an additional two-year sentence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-08-26 |title=Taiwan ex-president Chen Shui-bian gets extra jail term |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-14678192 |access-date=2024-08-24 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> As Taiwan president [[Tsai Ing-wen]] prepared to leave office in 2024, she declined to comment on whether or not she would pardon Chen of his corruption convictions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=President mum on possible Chen Shui-bian pardon - Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/05/08/2003817531 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www.taipeitimes.com |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824172145/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/05/08/2003817531 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the end, there was no presidential pardon delivered to Chen.

In 2024, the former DPP [[Vice Premier of the Republic of China|vice premier]] [[Cheng Wen-tsan]] was detained on corruption charges relating to his time as [[Mayor of Taoyuan]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-12 |title=Taiwan Detains Former Vice Premier Facing Corruption Inquiry |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-12/taiwan-detains-former-vice-premier-facing-corruption-inquiry |access-date=2024-08-24 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824172143/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-12/taiwan-detains-former-vice-premier-facing-corruption-inquiry |url-status=live }}</ref> former DPP [[Tainan City Council]] speaker Lai Mei-hui received a 2-year suspended sentence for corruption,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Former Tainan Council speaker gets 2-year suspended sentence for corruption - Focus Taiwan |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202401170009 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Focus Taiwan - CNA English News |language=en-US |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310115320/https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202401170009 |url-status=live }}</ref> and prosecutors began an investigation into DPP Legislator [[Lin I-chin]] for allegedly fraudulently claiming public funds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title=DPP lawmaker, other corruption suspects released - Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/08/23/2003822655 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www.taipeitimes.com |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824172146/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/08/23/2003822655 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In June 2025, [[Kaohsiung]] DPP representative [[Lin Dai-hua]] was indicted alongside nine others for embezzling nearly fifteen million [[New Taiwan dollar|New Taiwan Dollars]] by misappropriating city funds designated as wages for her assistants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-24 |title=DPP lawmaker, nine others charged with corruption - Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/06/24/2003839161 |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=www.taipeitimes.com}}</ref>

==Structure==
[[File:Huashan Business Building 20130118.jpg|thumb|DPP headquarters at Huashan Business Building Level 10 in [[Taipei]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://dpptaiwan.blogspot.com/p/contact.html | title=Contact | access-date=18 April 2013 | archive-date=30 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030223802/http://dpptaiwan.blogspot.com/p/contact.html | url-status=live }}</ref>]]
The DPP National Party Congress selects, for two-year terms, the 30 members of the Central Executive Committee and the 11 members of the Central Review Committee. The Central Executive Committee, in turn, chooses the 10 members of the Central Standing Committee. Since 2012, the DPP has had a "China Affairs Committee" to deal with [[Cross-Strait relations]]; the name caused some controversy within the party and in the Taiwan media, with critics suggesting that "Mainland Affairs Committee" or "Cross-Strait Affairs Committee" would show less of a hostile "[[One Country on Each Side]]" attitude.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90785/8031251.html|title=China Focus: "China Affairs Committee" negative to Taiwan opposition party: Taiwan media|agency=Xinhua|location=Taipei|date=22 November 2012|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-date=3 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603005408/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90785/8031251.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Factions ===

For many years the DPP officially recognized several factions within its membership, such as the [[New Tide faction]] ({{Script|Hanb|新潮流系}}), the [[Formosa faction]] ({{Script|Hanb|美麗島系}}), the [[Justice Alliance faction]] ({{Script|Hanb|正義連線系}}) and [[Welfare State Alliance faction]] ({{Script|Hanb|福利國系}}). Different factions endorse slightly different policies and are often generationally identifiable, representing individuals who had entered the party at different times. In 2006, the party ended recognition of factions.<ref name="fractions">{{cite news |first=Jewel |last=Huang |date=24 July 2006 |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2006/07/24/2003320124 |newspaper=Taipei Times |title=DPP votes to do away with factions |page=1 |access-date=22 September 2006 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929155641/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2006/07/24/2003320124 |url-status=live }}</ref> The factions have since stated that they will comply with the resolution. However, the factions are still referred to by name in national media.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Engbarth|first1=Dennis|title=DPP campaign aims to bring people 'Happiness and Pride'|url=http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1322395&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_taiwan&cate_rss=TAIWAN_eng|access-date=30 January 2016|work=Taiwan News|date=19 July 2010|archive-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202080606/http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1322395&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_taiwan&cate_rss=TAIWAN_eng}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Su|first1=Justin|last2=Yeh|first2=Sophia|last3=Wen|first3=Kui-hsiang|last4=Chang|first4=S. C.|title=New Tide remains largest faction inside DPP|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201207150023.aspx?q=bear|access-date=31 January 2016|agency=Central News Agency|date=15 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224152321/http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201207150023.aspx?q=bear|archive-date=24 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2022, ''[[Taiwan News]]'' identified at least 7 factions within the party:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4605745 | title=The who and what on the DPP factions vying to shape Taiwan's future| date=25 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727155651/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4605745|archive-date=27 July 2022}}</ref>

* [[New Tide faction]] ({{Script|Hanb|新潮流系}}) - [[Lai Ching-te|William Lai]],  [[Chen Chu]], [[Tsai Chi-chang]], [[Chiu Tai-san]], [[Pan Men-an]], [[Lai Pin-yu]]
* [[TNCPA]] ({{Script|Hanb|正國會}}) - [[Lin Chia-lung]], [[Chen Ting-fei|Fifi Chen Ting-fei]], [[Lin Yu-chang|Lin You-chang]] 
* [[Green Fellowship Association]] ({{Script|Hanb|綠色友誼系統}}) - [[Ho Chih-wei]]
* [[Taiwan Forward]]({{Script|Hanb|湧言會}}) - [[Lin Kun-hai]],   [[Hsu Kuo-yung]]
* [[Su Faction]]({{Script|Hanb|蘇系}}) - [[Su Tseng-chang]]
* [[Ing Faction]] ({{Script|Hanb|英系}})- [[Tsai Ing-wen]], [[Chen Ming-wen]], [[Kuan Bi-ling]] 
* [[Democracy Living Water Connection]]({{Script|Hanb|民主活水連線}}) -  [[Cho Jung-tai]],  [[Luo Wen-jia]], [[Lin Fei-fan]]

===Chair===
{{main|Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party}}

* Current Chair: [[Lai Ching-te]]

===Secretary-General===
{{main|List of Secretaries-General of the Democratic Progressive Party}}

* Current Secretary-General: [[Lin Hsi-yao]] (since May 2020)

===Legislative Yuan leader (caucus leader)===
* [[Shih Ming-teh]] (1 February 1993 – 1 February 2002)
* [[Ker Chien-ming]] (since 1 February 2002)

==Election results==

===Presidential elections===
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Election
! Candidate
! Running mate
! Total votes
! Share of votes
! Outcome
|-
![[1996 Taiwan presidential election|1996]]
|[[Peng Ming-min]]
|[[Frank Hsieh|Frank Hsieh Chang-ting]]
| 2,274,586
| 21.13%
|{{No|Defeated}}
|-
![[2000 Taiwan presidential election|2000]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Chen Shui-bian]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Annette Lu|Annette Lu Hsiu-lien]]
| 4,977,737
| 39.30%
|{{Yes|Elected}}
|-
![[2004 Taiwan presidential election|2004]]
| 6,446,900
| 50.11%
|{{Yes|Elected}}
|-
![[2008 Taiwan presidential election|2008]]
|Frank Hsieh Chang-ting
|[[Su Tseng-chang]]
| 5,445,239
| 41.55%
|{{No|Defeated}}
|-
![[2012 Taiwan presidential election|2012]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Tsai Ing-wen]]
|[[Su Jia-chyuan]]
| 6,093,578
| 45.63%
|{{No|Defeated}}
|-
![[2016 Taiwan presidential election|2016]]
|[[Chen Chien-jen]] ([[File:Black-nill.png|15x15px]] [[Independent politician|Ind.]])
| 6,894,744
| 56.12%
|{{Yes|Elected}}
|-
![[2020 Taiwan presidential election|2020]]
|[[William Lai|Lai Ching‑te]]
|8,170,231
|57.13%
|{{Yes|Elected}}
|-
![[2024 Taiwanese presidential election|2024]]
|Lai Ching-te
|[[Hsiao Bi-khim]]
|5,586,019
|40.05%
|{{Yes|Elected}}
|}

===Legislative elections===
<!--Note: Legislative Yuan is the legislature of the Republic of China only. The members of the Executive Yuan, which can form the government of the Republic of China, are appointed by the President of the Republic of China and irrelevant to the Legislative Yuan.-->{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Election
!Total seats won
!Total votes
!Share of votes
!Changes
!Party leader
!Status
!President
|-
![[1989 Taiwanese legislative election|1989]]
|{{Composition bar|21|130|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|
|
|
|[[Huang Hsin-chieh]]
|{{no|Minority}}
|rowspan=4|[[Lee Teng-hui]]
|-
![[1992 Taiwan legislative election|1992]]
|{{Composition bar|51|161|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|2,944,195
|31.0%
|{{increase}} 30 seats
|[[Hsu Hsin-liang]]
|{{no|Minority}}
|-
![[1995 Taiwan legislative election|1995]]
|{{Composition bar|54|164|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|3,132,156
|33.2%
|{{increase}} 3 seats
|[[Shih Ming-teh]]
|{{no|Minority}}
|-
![[1998 Taiwan legislative election|1998]]
|{{Composition bar|70|225|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|2,966,834
|29.6%
|{{increase}} 16 seats
|[[Lin Yi-hsiung]]
|{{no|Minority}}
|-
![[2001 Taiwan legislative election|2001]]
|{{Composition bar|87|225|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|3,447,740
|36.6%
|{{increase}} 21 seats
|rowspan=3|[[Chen Shui-bian]]
|{{no|Minority}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Chen Shui-bian]]
|-
![[2004 Taiwan legislative election|2004]]
|{{Composition bar|89|225|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|3,471,429
|37.9%
|{{increase}} 2 seats
|{{no|Minority}}
|-
![[2008 Taiwan legislative election|2008]]
|{{Composition bar|27|113|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|3,775,352
|38.2%
|{{decrease}} 62 seats
|{{no|Minority}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Ma Ying-jeou]]
|-
![[2012 Taiwan legislative election|2012]]
|{{Composition bar|40|113|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|4,556,526
|34.6%
|{{increase}} 13 seats
|rowspan=2|[[Tsai Ing-wen]]
|{{no|Minority}}
|-
![[2016 Taiwan general election|2016]]
|{{Composition bar|68|113|{{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|5,370,953
|44.1%
|{{increase}} 28 seats
|{{yes|Majority}}
|rowspan=2|[[Tsai Ing-wen]]
|-
![[2020 Taiwanese legislative election|2020]]
|{{Composition bar|61|113|{{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|4,811,241
|33.98%
|{{decrease}} 7 seats
|[[Cho Jung-tai]]
|{{yes|Majority}}
|-
![[2024 Taiwanese legislative election|2024]]
|{{Composition bar|51|113|{{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|4,981,060
|36.16%
|{{decrease}} 10 seats
|[[Lai Ching-te]]
|{{no|Minority}}
|[[Lai Ching-te]]
|}

===Local elections===
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Election
! Magistrates and mayors
! Councilors
! Township/city mayors
! Township/city council representatives
! Village chiefs
! Party leader
|-
![[1994 Taiwanese municipal elections|1994]]<br />provincial
|{{Composition bar|1|3|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|52|175|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|[[Shih Ming-teh]]
|-
![[1997 Taiwanese local elections|1997–1998]]
|{{Composition bar|12|23|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|114|886|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|28|319|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|[[Hsu Hsin-liang]]
|-
![[1998 Taiwanese municipal elections|1998]]<br />municipal
|{{Composition bar|1|2|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|28|96|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|[[Lin Yi-hsiung]]
|-
![[2001 Taiwanese local elections|2001–2002]]
|{{Composition bar|9|23|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|147|897|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|28|319|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|rowspan="4"|[[Chen Shui-bian]]
|-
![[2002 Taiwanese municipal elections|2002]]<br />municipal
|{{Composition bar|1|2|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|31|96|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
![[2005 Taiwanese local elections|2005]]
|{{Composition bar|6|23|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|192|901|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|35|319|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
![[2006 Taiwanese municipal elections|2006]]<br />municipal
|{{Composition bar|1|2|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|33|96|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
![[2009 Taiwanese local elections|2009]]
|{{Composition bar|4|17|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|128|587|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|34|211|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|rowspan="5"|[[Tsai Ing-wen]]
|-
![[2010 Taiwanese municipal elections|2010]]<br />municipal
|{{Composition bar|2|5|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|130|314|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|{{Composition bar|220|3757|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|-
![[2014 Taiwanese local elections|2014]]<br />unified
|{{Composition bar|13|22|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|291|906|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|54|204|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|194|2137|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|390|7836|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|-
![[2018 Taiwanese local elections|2018]]<br />unified
|{{Composition bar|6|22|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|238|912|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|40|204|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|151|2148|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{Composition bar|285|7744|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|-
![[2022 Taiwanese local elections|2022]]<br />unified
|{{Composition bar|5|22|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{composition bar|277|910|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{composition bar|35|204|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{composition bar|123|2139|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|{{composition bar|226|7748|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|}

===National Assembly elections===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Election
! Total seats won
! Total votes
! Share of votes
! Changes
! Party leader
! Status
! President
|-
![[1991 Taiwan National Assembly election|1991]]
|{{Composition bar|66|325|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|2,036,271
|23.3%
|{{increase}}66 seats
|[[Huang Shin-chieh]]
| {{no|Minority}}
|rowspan=2|[[Lee Teng-hui]]
|-
![[1996 Taiwan National Assembly election|1996]]
|{{Composition bar|99|334|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
|3,121,423
|29.9%
|{{increase}}33 seats
|[[Shih Ming-teh]]
| {{no|Minority}}
|-
![[2005 Taiwan National Assembly election|2005]]
| {{Composition bar|127|300|hex={{party color|Democratic Progressive Party}}}}
| 1,647,791
| 42.52%
| {{increase}}28 seats
|[[Annette Lu|Annette Lu Hsiu-lien]]
| {{partial|Plurality}}
|[[Chen Shui-bian]]
|}

==See also==
{{portal|Taiwan}}
{{col div|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Progressivism in Taiwan]]
* [[Human rights in Taiwan]]
* [[Taiwan Value]]
* [[Culture of Taiwan]]
* [[Taiwan independence movement]]
** [[Taiwan the Formosa]]
* [[Taiwan consensus]]
* [[Taiwanese people]]
* [[Green Terror (Taiwan)|Green Terror]], a critical term for the DPP
* [[Resolution on Taiwan's Future]]
* [[Referendums in Taiwan]]
* [[Foreign relations of Taiwan#International disputes|Foreign relations of Taiwan]]
* [[February 28 Incident]]
* [[Formosa Incident]]
* [[Sunflower Student Movement]]
* [[List of major liberal parties considered left]]
{{Div col end}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist-ur}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.dpp.org.tw/ DPP Official website]
* [http://etd.lib.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search/getfile?URN=etd-1223103-143943&filename=etd-1223103-143943.pdf Academic thesis on the factions within DPP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725074548/http://etd.lib.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search/getfile?URN=etd-1223103-143943&filename=etd-1223103-143943.pdf |date=25 July 2011 }}

{{Democratic Progressive Party}}
{{Taiwanese political parties}}
{{interlib}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Democratic Progressive Party| ]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Taiwan]]
[[Category:Anti-communism in Taiwan]]
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[[Category:Anti–People's Republic of China sentiment]]
[[Category:Centre-left parties in Asia]]
[[Category:Formerly banned political parties]]
[[Category:Identity politics in Taiwan]]
[[Category:Liberal International]]
[[Category:Nationalist parties in Asia]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1986]]
[[Category:Populist parties]]
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[[Category:Progressive parties in Taiwan]]
[[Category:Social liberal parties]]
[[Category:Social democratic parties in Taiwan]]