TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwanese are voting Saturday for a new president and legislature in an election that could set the trajectory of their autonomous democracy and relations with China for the next four years.
At stake is the peace and stability of the island, 160 kilometers (100 miles) off China’s coast, with Beijing insisting it retake it by force if necessary. claims. Domestic issues such as the economic downturn and expensive housing also featured prominently in the election campaign.
Vice President Lai Kiyotoku, who represents the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, known as the Democratic Progressive Party, is set to succeed outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen and give the independence-minded party an unprecedented third term.
Lai voted in his hometown of Tainan. He mentioned the sunny weather and suggested it was a good time for Taiwanese people to go out to vote.
“I encourage everyone across the country to vote with enthusiasm and demonstrate the vitality of Taiwan’s democracy,” he said.
Hou Youxi, a candidate for the Kuomintang (also known as Kuomintang) party backed by the Chinese government, voted for New Taipei City, a municipality adjacent to the capital Taipei. Mr. Hou is the mayor of New Taipei City and was on leave to run for president.
“What we need in the campaign process is chaos,” Hou told reporters after the vote. “But after the vote, we need to unite and face Taiwan’s future together.”
Taiwan People’s Party alternative candidate Ko Wen-je, who is popular among young voters seeking an alternative to the two major parties, voted in Taipei.
Asked by journalists how he felt, Ko, with his famously dry demeanor, said he intended to do his best every day and “plan for the next stage once we get there.”
Voting began at 8am (00:00 GMT) on Saturday and was scheduled to end eight hours later.
Candidates wrapped up their campaigns Friday night with stirring speeches, but young voters were primarily focused on the future of the economy in a difficult environment.
Speaking in his hometown of Tainan, Lai explained why he quit his career as a surgeon due to Chinese missile tests and military exercises aimed at intimidating Taiwanese voters before the first open presidential election in 1996. I looked back.
“I wanted to protect Taiwan’s nascent democracy. I decided to quit my well-paid job and follow in the footsteps of my predecessors in democracy,” Lai said.
Hou, a former Taiwanese police chief, said Lai’s views on relations with China could push the two countries into war.
“I advocate pragmatic exchanges with China, national security, and the protection of human rights. “I’m going to put it on the line,” Hou said.
China’s military threat may turn some voters against independence-minded candidates, but the United States has pledged to support whatever government is formed, and immediately after the election, it announced a new government made up of former senior officials. The Biden administration’s plans to send an unofficial delegation to the island have also been stepped up.
Gabriel Reid, associate director at global information consultancy S-RM, said Taiwan’s election is expected to have a “real and lasting impact on the geopolitical landscape.”
“The outcome of the vote will ultimately determine the nature of China’s relationship with the West and will have a major impact on the situation in the South China Sea,” he said.
Besides tensions with China, domestic issues dominated the campaign, particularly the economy, which was estimated to have grown by just 1.4% last year. This partly reflects the inevitable cycle of demand for computer chips and other exports from its high-tech, trade-dependent manufacturing base and a slowdown in China’s economy.
But long-term issues such as affordable housing and stagnant wages outweighed voters’ concerns.
There is no runoff, and the candidate with the most votes wins. Parliamentary elections are contests for constituencies and major seats.