Skip to main content
Understanding the elections in Taiwan
The main, Western-backed separatist party has returned to power – but with a smaller majority, thanks in part to the emergence of a ‘third camp’ sitting between full independence and reunification with China, explains KENNY COYLE
Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, center, celebrates his victory with running mate Bi-khim Hsiao, right, and supporters in Taipei, Taiwan., Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024

PRESIDENTIAL elections in Taiwan have returned the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te with 40 per cent of the vote, beating his main rival Hou You-yi of the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) on 33.49 per cent, and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) supported by 26.46 per cent of voters.

Lai, who is the incumbent vice-president, led the DPP to its third consecutive term in office, the first three-time tenure since direct presidential elections began in Taiwan in 1996.

In a victory speech, president-elect Lai said Taiwan had shown the world that “between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy.”

Liberation webinar, 30 November2024, 6pm (UK)
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Duterte’s arrest: justice for the Filipino people won’t
Features / 17 March 2025
17 March 2025
While the West celebrates Duterte’s extradition, the selective application of international law reveals deeper geopolitical motives behind the prosecution of a leader from a poor, exploited nation, argues KENNY COYLE
A TV screen shows a file image of South Korean President Yoo
Features / 6 January 2025
6 January 2025
Between military provocations against the DPRK and factional warfare at home, President Yoon’s martial law crisis continues to rock the South Korean state — and the US has to have known it was coming, writes KENNY COYLE
Protesters stage a rally demanding South Korean President Yo
Features / 13 December 2024
13 December 2024
The chaos and confusion that has resulted from President Yoon’s failed coup reminds us that the nation’s US-backed elite has always been ready to call in the military to prop itself up, writes KENNY COYLE
meet
Features / 4 December 2024
4 December 2024
Two recent high-level meetings between British and Chinese leaders have sparked controversy in the capitalist media but for all the wrong reasons, writes KENNY COYLE