The China-skeptical Lai Ching-te of the DPP party becomes the new president of Taiwan. Not all votes have been counted yet, but his main opponent, Hou Yu-ih of the nationalist Kuomintang party, congratulated the DPP on his election victory on Saturday.
During his victory speech, Lai said that with these election results, Taiwan has “achieved a victory for the community of democracies” and that “the Taiwanese people have managed to fend off attempts by foreign powers to influence these elections.” The latter statement is a clear swipe at China, which, among other things, wanted to keep the presidency out of Lai’s hands by spreading disinformation.
China has described the elections as a “choice between war and peace.” Lai Ching-te is seen by China as a “dangerous separatist”. The Kuomintang is much more focused on keeping Beijing happy, and therefore enjoys the support of China. Lai said during his speech that he is “determined to protect Taiwan from threats and intimidation from China.” But, he added a little later, he is also willing to “speak to China on the basis of dignity and parity.”
Lost parliamentary majority
It is now also clear that the DPP has lost its majority in parliament. Lai will therefore have to make concessions in order to pass laws, by working together with his former opponents of the Kuomintang or with Taiwan’s populist third party, the TPP led by Ko Wen-je. The TPP, which presents itself as a third way to the two traditional Taiwanese parties, will have a key position in the upcoming parliament.
He immediately acknowledged in his victory speech that Lai will have to work together with his opponents to govern effectively. “We will prioritize issues on which there is consensus among the different parties,” Lai said. He also wants to appoint “talents from different political parties” to government positions.
It is the third victory in the presidential elections for the pro-America DPP in a row. This is unique in Taiwan, which has been a democracy since 1996.
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