Ko kingmaker in DPP-KMT tussle

Taiwan's freshly elected lawmakers will meet from tomorrow, with the new Taiwan People's Party enjoying an outsized influence over legislation after breaking through the long-entrenched two-party system.

Taiwan's political landscape has long been dominated by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the opposition Kuomintang, both defined by how they would approach ties with Beijing.

Lai Ching-te won this month's election to be president, but neither party won a majority in the 113-seat legislature, with Lai's DPP getting 51 seats and the KMT edging it on 52.

The TPP's Ko Wen-je came last in the presidential race, but his party secured eight seats and a quarter of the votes.

"For the first time ever, you have a viable third party option that gets to play that decisive kingmaking [role]," said analyst Sung Wen-ti.

TPP's arrival could mean a more diverse and vibrant democratic scene for Taiwan's future - or it could also translate to a logjam in parliament.

But "a greater share of voters who felt underrepresented by political parties may now feel a greater sense of empowerment," Sung said.

Ko has differentiated himself by saying it is pointless to argue over the KMT and DPP scenarios of "unification" or "independence."

He appealed to voters by focusing on everyday issues like housing costs and stagnating wages, resonating with supporters like Chen Jin-chi, who said: "At least three million people are no longer blindly supporting a certain party and willing to hear what change he wants."

Ko has been coy about who TPP will cooperate with. "Do you know what it means to be the 'crucial minority?' It means getting numerous unwanted calls every day," he said last week.

On Monday, prospective KMT and DPP speaker candidates visited TPP legislators to seek their backing. No decision was announced.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE