Taiwan's smaller progressive parties are teaming up to win back seats on the Taipei city council, a challenge to both the ruling and opposition camps.

• The New Power Party, Taiwan Statebuilding Party, Green Party and a smaller allied group have formed a joint slate called "Taiwan Forward."
• Seven candidates registered to run for Taipei city council seats, covering districts across the city plus one indigenous seat.
• Critics say the small parties will split the pro-independence vote, but the alliance rejects the idea that any votes "belong" to an established party.
• The pitch is that third-force seats shrank after 2018 and the current council has been weak at holding Mayor Chiang Wan-an to account.
• The alliance is targeting disillusioned voters who had planned to sit the election out.

Outlook: The 2026 local elections will test whether Taiwan's third force can rebuild a foothold or stays squeezed out by the two main camps.