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Lai Ching-te, of the center-left Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), critical of China’s political interference, has won Taiwan’s presidential elections. Both opposing candidates, Hou Yu-ih of the Nationalist Kuomintang Party (KMT) and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party, admitted defeat. Lai took 40 percent of the vote, Hou 33 percent and Ko 26 percent. Lai had been vice president in the last term and his party won the elections for the third time in a row. The outgoing president, Tsai Ing-wen, could not run for a third term under the country’s Constitution.
In addition to the president, in these elections there were also votes for the Taiwanese parliament, the Yuan. No party will be able to obtain a majority in parliament, the DPP obtained 51 seats out of 113, the KMT 52 and the Taiwan People’s Party 8 (two seats are assigned to independent candidates). Therefore the results of the parliamentary and presidential elections diverge: a candidate won who will not have a parliamentary majority.
Lai Ching-te was the favorite candidate in these elections, one of the most important and anticipated international political events of this year: his victory could in fact change the delicate balance that exists at this time between China and Taiwan, and even cause a crisis between the two countries. Others, however, believe that these fears are decidedly exaggerated, and Lai himself did everything he could during the election campaign to reassure the Taiwanese and the international community. Taiwan is an island state which, despite being de facto autonomous, is considered by China to be part of itself, a rebellious province destined to “reunify” with the rest of the country.
Lai gave the victory speech to the DPP election committee. “We have shown the world how much we care about our democracy,” Lai said. «Taiwanese successfully resisted external forces that attempted to influence the election. We believe that only the people of Taiwan have the right to choose their own president.” Then he added that he was determined to “safeguard Taiwan from China’s constant threats and intimidation”, and that he believed that maintaining peace and stability on the strait (the one that separates the island of Taiwan from the mainland) is an important responsibility. His government will use “dialogue instead of conflict” in relations with China.
Regarding the parliamentary result, Lai defined it as disappointing and said that collaboration and dialogue will have to arise with the opposition parties, whose policies he wants to carefully study.
About three hours after Lai’s official victory, China has commented officially the outcome of the elections. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese State Council issued a statement in which it said that Lai’s victory cannot however stop “the unstoppable process that will lead to reunification with the motherland”.
– Read also: What relationship do Taiwan and China have?