It was all part of a concerted effort by the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the smaller Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) – which together form the legislative majority – to increase scrutiny of government agencies and officials.

Since losing its legislative majority earlier this year, the independence-leaning DPP has faced successive setbacks in the advance of crucial legislation, as well as an inability so far to stem opposition-led reforms.

Analysts cautioned that an effective opposition could undermine voter perceptions of the administration, and Lai’s public support might also steadily dwindle over the next four years if these issues were not addressed effectively.

They also highlighted that these challenges could significantly influence Lai’s policies on cross-strait relations, foreign affairs, and military procurement, particularly from the United States.

Adding to Lai’s woes, Beijing initiated two days of military exercises on Thursday aimed at forming a blockade around the island. The drills were a response to perceived pro-independence sentiment in his inaugural speech.

Beijing previously labelled Lai as an “obstinate separatist”, and warned that his leadership could lead to conflict in Taiwan, which it sees as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary.

Like most countries, the United States does not recognise the island as an independent state but is strongly opposed to any unilateral change to the status quo and is also self-governed Taiwan’s main arms supplier. Beijing regards any pro-independence sentiment as a red line that must not be crossed.

03:11

Mainland China launches PLA blockade around Taiwan, 3 days after William Lai speech

Mainland China launches PLA blockade around Taiwan, 3 days after William Lai speech

Analysts noted that a divided parliament, with the DPP no longer in majority, had not only deprived Lai of a traditional honeymoon period, but also threatened to impede the functioning of his minority government.

Last week’s incidents in the legislature stemmed from DPP protests against what they perceived as an opposition attempt to consolidate power by pushing through reform bills targeting officials and executive agencies of the Lai government.

The proposals aim to bolster lawmakers’ investigative powers by enabling the formation of investigative committees and mandating open ballots for appointments to key government positions.

Government agencies, the military, corporations, organisations and social sectors are required to provide relevant information during public hearings held by the legislature, according to the bills. They also require Lai to reply personally to questions from lawmakers.

When the legislature reconvened on Tuesday, thousands of DPP supporters protested outside the building, fearing the bills would disrupt the government and grant additional powers to lawmakers to penalise Lai’s officials and please Beijing.

Inside the legislature, DPP representatives were dressed in black and wore headbands reading “democracy is dead” as they shouted slogans and held placards, calling for clause-by-clause deliberation of the bills.

The effort failed, with the opposition’s numerical advantage leading to the successful second reading of the bills. The third and final reading on Friday also attracted thousands of protesters and further stalling from DPP lawmakers.

While the DPP maintains that certain aspects of the bills are unconstitutional, the party also accuses the Beijing-friendly KMT and TPP of “colluding with China to undermine Taiwan’s democracy”.

The KMT contends that a significant portion of amendments to the bills were originally proposed by some DPP lawmakers when they were in opposition.

According to Wang Kung-yi, head of the Taiwan International Strategy Study Society think tank in Taipei, apart from the vehement reaction from Beijing, the most immediate challenge confronting Lai is to secure approval for government budgets.

“The Lai government requires funding to sustain its operations and tackle various challenges, yet DPP lawmakers are reluctant to yield to the majority. Instead, they resort to their traditional tactic of parliamentary brawling and rallying support from their backers to pressure the opposition,” he said.

Wang said the approach would only deepen parliamentary divisions, impeding budget reviews and approval. An opposition boycott of the budgets or brawls leading to stalled reviews would only hinder the administration’s operations, he added.

“Consider the military budget, for instance. The Lai government requires funds for armament building and procurement from the United States, as well as for enhancing foreign relations,” Wang said.

“On cross-strait relations, obstruction from the opposition may also impede some of Lai’s plans [which are] perceived as provocative towards the mainland.”

Lai won the leadership in January with slightly more than 40 per cent of the vote. However, his party secured only 51 out of 113 seats, with eight going to the TPP and the remainder to the KMT and two of its key allies.

“Lai only has a mandate from 40 per cent of the electorate,” said Li Da-jung, a professor of international relations and strategic studies at Tamkang University in New Taipei.

The remainder – many of them young voters – did not choose Lai because of dissatisfaction with low wages, unaffordable housing, unemployment, and income inequality.

“These are the groups Lai must prioritise in addressing their concerns, but he may encounter challenges in advancing his agenda, given that the two opposition parties hold the majority of seats in the legislature,” Li said.

The DPP had grown accustomed to majority rule over the past eight years, but must face reality, as confrontation with the opposition would only exacerbate matters for the Lai administration, according to Li.

Wang cautioned that if Lai failed to address public concerns and ensure the smooth operation of his government, “the DPP might suffer another electoral defeat in the 2026 local government elections”.

Local elections in 2022 saw a landslide victory for the KMT, which won 14 mayoral and magistrate seats, while the DPP was only able to secure five.

However, Li contended that it was premature to anticipate a substantial DPP loss in 2026, given that Lai had only assumed office a few days earlier.

Amanda Hsiao, a senior China analyst with the International Crisis Group, cautioned that a divided Taiwan played into Beijing’s hands by undermining its ability to address threats, and by sowing discord or uncertainty regarding defence strategies.

“Beijing benefits from a more divided Taiwan, whether it is one that is either distracted from threats because of internal fighting or one that cannot agree on the nature of the threat from China and therefore cannot agree on how to defend Taiwan,” she said.