Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim attend a rally, following the victory in the presidential elections, in Taipei, Taiwan, January 13, 2024. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
On Saturday, Taiwanese voters decisively elected Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), despite considerable pressure from China to reject him. The DPP, which advocates for Taiwan’s distinct identity and rejects China’s territorial claims, sought an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term. However, the party lost its parliamentary majority due to public frustration over domestic issues such as housing costs and stagnant wages during its eight years in power.
Lai secured victory with 40% of the vote in Taiwan’s first-past-the-post system, unlike the landslide victory of current President Tsai Ing-wen four years ago with over 50% of the vote. Although the DPP lost its parliamentary majority, Lai hailed the election as a historic moment for Taiwan’s democracy.
In his victory statement, Lai pledged to maintain the status quo in cross-strait relations but expressed determination to protect Taiwan from Chinese threats and intimidation. He emphasized the need for cooperation and dialogue with Beijing on equal terms to replace confrontation, without providing specific details. China had denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist before the election, warning against the DPP’s ‘Taiwan independence’ stance.
Despite initial concerns from China, Lai’s election prompted a more tempered response from the Taiwan Affairs Office, stating that the DPP cannot represent mainstream public opinion. China reiterated its consistent stance on Taiwan reunification, expressing firm determination while expressing willingness to collaborate with relevant political parties, groups, and people from Taiwan.
The election occurred amid escalating geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington, with the arms race across the Taiwan Strait and Chinese military pressure on the island continuing. Lai, however, advocated for peace, stating that only peace would benefit both sides.
Lai acknowledged that the DPP faces challenges with the loss of its parliamentary majority and extended an olive branch to opponents, expressing a willingness to include talent from their parties. He also pledged to cooperate with electoral rivals from the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) in addressing Taiwan’s problems.
While the DPP won 51 seats compared to the KMT’s 52, and the TPP secured eight, Lai expressed a commitment to collaboration with his opponents. Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the TPP appeared open to working with Lai, emphasizing a focus on reasonable discourse. The voter turnout was approximately 72% of the nearly 19 million eligible voters in the island of 23 million.
President Tsai Ing-wen was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election after completing two terms in office.
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