Taiwan's two opposition parties have broken their local election pact in Hsinchu County, a setback for both and a gift to the ruling DPP.

• The Taiwan People's Party cut off all election cooperation with the Kuomintang in Hsinchu County after both parties ran candidates for mayor of Zhubei City.
• Each side refused to step aside, and the TPP accused the KMT of breaking its word and then lying about it.
• Splitting the opposition vote makes it easier for the ruling DPP to win Zhubei and possibly other races in the county.
• The two parties had agreed in March to divide up candidates across Taiwan ahead of the Nov. 28 local elections, and that trust is now shaken.
• The TPP is threatening to expel members who back a rival candidate.

Outlook: The rest of the opposition pact still holds elsewhere, but more infighting before November would help the DPP hold ground in a fast-growing area near Hsinchu Science Park.