Democratic Progressive Party
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Democratic Progressive Party | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | DPP |
| Leader | Tsai Ing-wen |
| Founder | Tsai Ing-wen |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Ideology |
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| Political position |
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| National affiliation | United List (December 2024, June 2025) Together for the Republic (July 2025) |
| Colours | Green |
| Slogan | Freedom can't wait. |
| National Assembly | 61 / 251
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The Democratic Progressive Party, commonly abbreviated as the DPP, is one of the 2 traditional main parties of the Republic, along with the Kuomintang. The DPP was founded as the main representative of the Left in the Republic. The party is currently the second largest party, sitting as the Official Opposition to the FWD-led government.
History
Beginnings and factionalism
The DPP was one of the first two parties founded in the Republic, along with the KMT. The DPP was the main opposition to the first work program, which it ended in 2022, although following the October elections the DPP allowed the second work program to continue at a more moderate level. The DPP is known for its competing and often hostile factions, which range from a moderate centrist faction which advocates for liberalism, to a mainstream faction which advocates historical social liberal policies and approaching issues from a mental health angle, to a hedonist faction which radically opposes work, clubs, and even Records (this faction left to form the Orchid Party).
Majority governments and DPP Renaissance
In the October 2024 election, the center and center-left factions led the party to victory after over 6 months in opposition. Factionalism increased during the October 2024 cabinet. The party won re-election to another majority government in November but collapsed in popularity in December. However, it still managed to form a wide coalition with the Orchid Party and New Dawn, which collapsed after New Dawn withdrew.
Opposition, Tsai's rise to power, and collapse
The party formed the official opposition to the first and second Chu cabinets. After that, Tsai Ing-wen led the party to forming 2 coalition governments with Horizons and Momentum. The first Tsai cabinet implemented constitutional reforms which expanded the Parliament and the second was the first which was formed by a 251 seat Parliament. After the rapid rise of Horizons, the party recorded its worst results ever and become a minor party. Tsai retired as party leader after that party's electoral defeats under her leadership. She was replaced by Anthony Albanese in a leadership election. Albanese was seen as a more left-wing party leader than Tsai. The party only narrowly passed the 5% threshold during the first and second Shetty cabinets.
Resurgence and Albanese's leadership
The party launched a comeback after the June snap election and even re-entered government as part of Rogan’s rainbow coalition. This move was opposed by party leader Albanese, but he was pressured to accept the move by the party's centrist and center-left factions. The party distanced itself from the coalition under Albanese after he managed to take more control of his party. The party left the coalition and formed the Popular Front with the Orchid Party and other small left wing parties. However, Albanese was ousted in a leadership challenge by former Prime Minister Tsai Ing-wen, and the party left the Popular Front and re-entered the new National Unity Government. The party went back into opposition after the July elections, opposing the controversial Escuela Cabinet, and went dormant after the July coup. When the party returned to operation, it led the campaign against the new constitution. It became the Official Opposition to the Julani Cabinet.
Factions
The DPP is well known for its sometimes intense factionalism. Unlike most other parties, where factions are informal, the DPP has formalized factions that are recognized by the party.
List of factions
| Faction | Political position | Notable members | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Democracy | Center-left to Left-wing |
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One of the main factions of the DPP. Has led the party multiple times. |
| Social Liberal Group | Center to Center-left |
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Another one of the main factions, currently in charge of the party. |
| Future Forward | Center |
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Smaller faction which advocates for centrist policies. Most members left and joined Momentum. |
| Progressive Gathering | Left-wing |
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Historically influential faction which is now mostly insignificant. Most members left and joined the Orchid Party. |
Leadership structure
In order to prevent factionalism from tearing apart the party, party leaders generally share power with members of other factions. Major decisions, like joining a coalition government or joint list, are generally approved by all major factions. Leadership elections in the DPP are open to anyone who professes to be a DPP supporter. This has occasionally led to people trying to sabotage DPP leadership elections. There have been two major leadership elections since the party was founded.
Leadership over time
| Portrait | Party leader | Leadership election | Entered office | Left office | Faction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Tsai Ing-wen | N/A, party founder | 2022 | April 27, 2025 | Social Liberal Group |
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Anthony Albanese | April 2025 leadership election | April 27, 2025 | June 14, 2025 | Social Democracy |
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Tsai Ing-wen | June 2025 leadership election | June 14, 2025 | Incumbent | Social Liberal Group |