Taiwan's local elections are approaching—but could the battle for Taipei signal something bigger?
In this first episode of our election series, Neil O'Sullivan is joined by Brian Hioe, founding editor of New Bloom Magazine, to examine the upcoming Taiwan local elections and one of their most closely watched contests: the Taipei mayoral race.
Can incumbent KMT (中國國民黨) mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) secure a second term, or could DPP (民主進步黨) challenger Puma Shen (沈伯洋) —with his background in criminology and civil society work combating Chinese disinformation—pull off an electoral upset?
We explore the momentum behind Shen's campaign (洋流), the significance of the Taipei contest, the potential impact of Taiwan's booming economy, and the possibility of Chinese interference in the elections.
Beyond Taipei, could DPP gains in northern Taiwan challenge the KMT's traditional political stronghold and reshape the political landscape ahead of Taiwan's 2028 parliamentary elections?
Recorded in Taipei's Wanhua district, this is an insightful conversation about Taiwan politics, electoral dynamics, democracy and the challenges facing Taiwan as it prepares to vote.
Guest: Brian Hioe (X: @BrianHioe) — founding editor, New Bloom Magazine; non-resident Fellow, University of Nottingham Taiwan Studies programme.
Follow Perspectives with Neilo (X:@PwNeilo) for further coverage of Taiwan's elections and the issues shaping freedom and democracy.
Date of Recording: November 5th, 2026.
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| Current Mayor of Taipei, Chiang Wan-an (L) of the KMT faces off against Puma Shen (R) of the DPP in the upcoming local elections in Taiwan. (Pictures courtesy of campaign websites and Creative Commons) |
DIVE DEEPER
Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:
- What does the Taipei Mayoral Debate Tell Us? - Brian Hioe, New Bloom Magazine (November 5th, 2026
- Taiwan's Local Elections Are Not About China, President Lai pr the United States - Lev Nachman and Brian Hioe, The Diplomat (October 2nd, 2026
- Battle for the Capital: Inside the 2026 Mayoral Race, Part 1 - Abby Fu and Karyn Kao, Global Taiwan Institute (October 30th, 2026)
- What explains the rise of Puma Shen as a DPP candidate in Taipei ? Brian Hioe, New Bloom Magazine (October 29th, 2026)
- 2026 municipal elections outlook - Courtney Donovan Smith, EuroView (October 29th, 2026)
- 2026 municipal election outlook roundtable - European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (October 27th, 2026)
- Taiwan Election Propaganda Playbook - Resources for Journalists, RSF (September 30th, 2026)
- Poll finds satisfaction with Taiwan government performance at 62.1% - James Thompson, RTI (September 23rd, 2026)
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