Representative of Democrats wins election in Taiwan
Photo: Lai Ching-te Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate (Getty Images)
In Taiwan, polling stations have closed. According to preliminary results, the pro-Western candidate Lai Ching-te from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is leading with 40.1%, reports Bloomberg.
As of 2:31 p.m., 99% of the island's polling stations have submitted reports.
Photo: vote count (Bloomberg)
During the presidential race, voters chose among:
- The current Vice President Lai Ching-te from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
- The Mayor of New Taipei City, Hou Yu-ih, from the Kuomintang party.
- The leader of the young Taiwan People's Party, Ko Wen-je.
"In addition to choosing a new president, voters will determine the new make-up of the legislature by selecting their local lawmakers and also legislators-at-large. The DPP has held the majority in the single-chamber legislative body since Tsai Ing-wen first won the presidency in 2016," the publication explains.
It’s just after 7:30 p.m. in Taipei (with a little over 80% polling stations counted) https://t.co/fFzGb2TWj5 https://t.co/q8yB5vGzJi pic.twitter.com/RYV6yj876x
— Bloomberg Graphics (@BBGVisualData) January 13, 2024
Elections in Taiwan
According to many experts, elections in Taiwan have significant geopolitical implications. The local government does not hide concerns that China may interfere in the electoral process. In particular, China began launching aerial balloons over the island in the lead-up to the voting.
On January 11, the United States sent a clear signal to China, opposing any external interference or influence in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan.
Learn more about who might win these elections, how China might react, and whether there is a risk of a new war in this material.
