The candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (PDP), William Lai (Lai Ching-te), won the presidential elections in Taiwan with 40.2% of the votes, according to the latest data released by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC).
With 96% of the tables counted, Lai easily surpasses the opposition candidates of the Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih (33.4%), and the People’s Party of Taiwan (PPT), Ko Wen-je (26 .3%), who appeared publicly to acknowledge their defeat.
This result marks an unprecedented victory in Taiwan’s democratic history, which will see for the first time the same party presiding over the island for three consecutive terms.
Still, the outcome is still unclear in the Legislative Yuan (Parliament), where the current trend suggests that none of the three main parties will win a majority on their own.
The election of Lai, who defined himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence” in the past, predicts a worsening of relations with China, which considers the island a rebellious province
Throughout the campaign, the next president promised to continue the policies of the current president, Tsai Ing-wen, to maintain peace in the Strait of Formosa: increase military capabilities, strengthen economic independence, strengthen ties with the main democracies of the world and build principled leadership.
Along these lines, Lai does not consider it necessary to formally declare the independence of Taiwan, arguing that the island already functions, de facto, as an independent country under the name of the Republic of China.
Opposition candidates recognize William Lai’s victory
The opposition candidates of the Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih, and the People’s Party of Taiwan (PPT), Ko Wen-je, recognized this Saturday the victory of the ruling party’s candidate, William Lai, in the presidential elections in Taiwan.
“I respect the final decision of the people of Taiwan. I congratulate Lai and Hsiao (Bi-khim). Please do not fail the expectations of the Taiwanese,” Hou said from the KMT headquarters, where he appeared accompanied by several members of his party.
During his speech, in which he was visibly moved, Hou demanded that the new Government “listen to the voices of the Taiwanese”, while urging them to maintain “unity” in times of “crisis” in the Strait of Formosa.
“The only thing I wanted to do was unite Taiwan, that’s my hope. I have strong feelings about Taiwan facing the cross-strait crisis. We really must face these problems, so that the people of Taiwan can live in peace,” said the former mayor of New Taipei.
In a more festive tone, Ko Wen-je publicly thanked his followers for the support received in recent weeks, despite the “attacks” received by the other two forces in the fray.
“Tomorrow I will continue getting up at 7:30 to go to work,” he said.
Lai: “Between democracy and authoritarianism, we choose democracy”
The elected president of Taiwan, the ruling party William Lai (Lai Ching-te), of the Democratic Progressive Party (PDP), assured this Saturday that, between “democracy and authoritarianism”, the Taiwanese remained “on the side of democracy”, after obtain 40% of the votes in the island’s presidential elections.
“We are telling the international community that, between democracy and authoritarianism, we remain on the side of democracy. The Republic of China – Taiwan will continue to walk side by side with the democracies of the world,” Lai said in a press conference, in which he was accompanied by the vice president-elect, Hsiao Bi-khim.
During his initial intervention, the leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (PDP) stressed his intention to “maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” and pledged to act in accordance with the “democratic and constitutional order” of the island to maintain the current “status quo” with China, on the principles of “dignity” and “parity”.
“We are determined to safeguard Taiwan from China’s continued threats and intimidation,” said Lai, who added that his government will seek to resume “dialogue” and “cooperation” with Beijing, something that will be “beneficial” for the populations on both sides. of the strait.
The leader of the PDP, who will take office on May 20, considered that in the last eight years China “did not respond” to the good intentions of the outgoing president, Tsai Ing-wen.
“We hope that China recognizes the new situation and understands that only peace benefits both sides of the strait. Global peace and stability depend on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and China also has a responsibility,” Lai said.
By TTU
