Social Democratic Party (Taiwan)

The Social Democratic Party (SDP)[I] is a centre-left political party in Taiwan founded in 2015.[2][3][4] In 2015, the SDP formed a coalition with the Green Party Taiwan to contest the 2016 legislative election.

Social Democratic Party
社會民主黨
AbbreviationSDP
LeaderLouis Lu
Founded29 March 2015 (2015-03-29)
Headquarters2nd Floor, No. 70, Yanping South Road, Zhongzheng, Taipei, Taiwan
IdeologySocial democracy
Progressivism
Anti-imperialism
Political positionCentre-left
National affiliationPan-Green Coalition[1]
Legislative Yuan
0 / 113
Local councillors
1 / 912
Website
sdparty.tw

Historically, the SDP is one of Taiwan's "Third Force" (第三勢力) parties, a collection of parties that do not self-claim to either the Pan-Green or Pan-Blue Coalitions and tend to be rooted in social movements.[5][6] Currently, the SDP has become part of the Pan-Green camp, with more Taiwanese nationalist positions accepted and working with the Democratic Progressive Party.[1]

Political ideology

edit

The SDP is a social-democratic and progressive party, calling for a reduction in income inequality, the protection of labour rights, the abolition of the death penalty and the legalisation of same-sex marriage.[7] The party has also called for a reform to Taiwan's electioneering process, criticising the advantage given to parties with big financial backers.[8]

Electoral history

edit

In the 2016 legislative election, the SDP ran in a coalition with the Green Party Taiwan, garnering 2.5% of the vote and winning no seats.[9]

In the 2018 local elections, SDP candidate Miao Po-ya won a seat on the Taipei City Council. She is one of the first openly lesbian members of the municipal council.[10]

Election Mayors &
Magistrates
Councils Third-level
Municipal heads
Third-level
Municipal councils
Fourth-level
Village heads
Election Leader
2018
unified
0 / 22
1 / 912
0 / 204
0 / 2,148
0 / 7,744
Fan Yun [zh]
2022
unified
0 / 22
1 / 912
0 / 204
0 / 2,148
0 / 7,744
Louis Lu [zh]

Notes

edit
  1. ^

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "「民主大聯盟」第三波提名 賴清德:循跨黨派、跨世代、跨領域原則與社會連結". 民主進步黨 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2023-06-14. Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  2. ^ Joseph Wong (8 January 2016). "Taiwan Elections 2016: Certain Outcome, Uncertain Implications". asiapacific.ca. Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
  3. ^ "Taiwan's new political voices want more openness on China ties". reuters.com. Reuters.
  4. ^ "Activists set to launch Social Democratic Party - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com.
  5. ^ "Civic groups voice support for 'third force' - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com.
  6. ^ van der Horst, Linda. "The Rise of Taiwan's 'Third Force'". The Diplomat.
  7. ^ Hioe, Brian (4 September 2015). "Interview: Jennifer Lu (呂欣潔)". New Bloom Magazine. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  8. ^ Wilson, Aaron Wytze (14 January 2016). "SDP's Chen Shang-chih Election Ads Go Viral". New Bloom Magazine. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  9. ^ Fell, Dafydd (2016) 'Small Parties in Taiwan’s 2016 National Elections: A Limited Breakthrough?'. American Journal of Chinese Studies, (23) 1, pp 41-58.
  10. ^ News, Taiwan. "Taiwan to see first-ever openly lesbian councillor". Taiwan News. Retrieved 15 December 2018. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)