The upcoming election in Taiwan is scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 2024. It is a presidential and parliamentary election that will decide the island’s future relations with China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and threatens to use force if necessary
The main candidates are:
1. Lai Ching-te from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who supports maintaining Taiwan’s de facto independence and strengthening ties with the United States and other democracies. He is the current vice President and former premier of Taiwan
2. Hou Yu-ih from the Kuomintang (KMT), who advocates for closer dialogue and cooperation with China, based on the “1992 Consensus” that both sides acknowledge there is only one China, but agree to disagree on its definition. He is the incumbent mayor of New Taipei City and a former police chief
3.Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), who seeks a middle ground between the DPP and the KMT, and proposes a pragmatic and flexible approach to cross-strait relations. He is the leader of the TPP and a former mayor of Taipei
Young voters, who make up about one-third of the electorate, are expected to play a key role in the election outcome.
However, China’s threats are not the only thing on their mind as they head to the polls. Many young voters are also concerned about domestic issues such as the cost of living, housing prices, social welfare, environmental protection, and LGBTQ+ rights.
The election results will have significant implications for Taiwan’s future, as well as for the regional and global stability. The next president of Taiwan will have to balance the island’s security and prosperity with it’s identity and sovereignty, amid rising tensions and uncertainties in the Taiwan Strait..
