Decoding Taiwan’s election

There were no easy solutions facing Taiwanese voters when they went to the polls Saturday, writes Howard French . But the split outcome—in which the pro-autonomy Democratic Progressives eked out victory in a three-party presidential race but lost their majority in parliament—may be, French writes, “the rare sort of thing in today’s world that pleases both the United States and China.”?

What about the role of misinformation in the race? Concerns were heightened , as artificial intelligence capabilities have evolved over recent months. Lai’s victory, Nick Aspinwall writes, came amid efforts by both Chinese and domestic actors to sway the outcome any way they could—and showed that “Taiwanese voters can’t easily be swayed, as long as public officials do their part.” Read about specific strategies Taiwan used to successfully fight misinformation in Aspinwall’s analysis.

Taiwan’s is the first of a number of significant elections happening this year, which promise to reshape the world and its geopolitics. Follow along with FP’s Allison Meakem, who has compiled a list of the dozens of countries voting this year and the key issues on the ballot in each.—The editors?

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FP Live

What Taiwan’s Elections Mean for the U.S.—and the World

Jan. 22 | 10 a.m. ET

Along with Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi heads the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, created to deal with one of the United States’ foremost foreign-policy challenges: competition with China. Following the Taiwanese election on Jan. 13, Krishnamoorthi will join FP Live to discuss the results and their implications for the United States. Register now .?

Ian Bremmer on 2024, the “Voldemort of Years”

Jan. 29 | 10 a.m. ET

Every year, the geopolitical risk consultancy Eurasia Group releases an annual forecast of the political risks that are most likely to play out over the next 12 months. According to the group’s founder, Ian Bremmer, 2024 is a year of grave concern—“the Voldemort of years … the year that must not be named.” Bremmer will join FP’s Ravi Agrawal to explore how the world can prepare for these challenges. Register now .?

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Exercise Your Mind

Which French minister unexpectedly resigned on Jan. 8?

A. Prime Minister élisabeth Borne

B. Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak

C. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin

D. Economics Minister Bruno Le Maire

You can find the answer to this question and learn more at the end of this email.

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Answer: A. Prime Minister élisabeth Borne. Borne’s resignation comes just months before European Parliament elections and shortly after France’s far right passed stricter immigration laws, FP’s Alexandra Sharp reports in World Brief. Borne was succeeded by Gabriel Attal.