TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Based on the Central Election Commission reporting vote totals from over 98% of polling stations as of 8:30 p.m Taipei time, Lai Ching-te (賴清德) of the Democratic Progressive Party has won the election as the next president of Taiwan.
In the national election held on Saturday (Jan. 13), Lai received over 5.5 million votes, winning over 40% of the vote share, and performing five points higher than expected based on polling in late 2023.
Previously undecided voters split three ways among the candidates, giving Lai a seven-point lead over Kuomintang candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), who received 33% of the total votes. In third place, the Taiwan People's Party candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) took 26% of the national vote, performing marginally better than expected.
Lai, who previously served as Tainan’s mayor, shared his political goals during a speech on Thursday (Jan. 11). He pledged to continue bolstering national defense, the economy, and cooperation with democratic allies. He also said he would maintain deterrence and uphold the cross-strait status quo.
Lai said he would form a new government staffed by individuals based on their capabilities rather than party affiliation. This way, it could effectively respond to challenges, be open and inclusive, and unite Taiwanese to face both domestic and international challenges, he said
He also vowed to continue initiatives focusing on value-based diplomacy, cross-strait stability, defense self-sufficiency, economic upgrading, energy transition, youth investment, housing justice, and educational equality. This will shape Taiwan to be “a stable and indispensable force in the international community,” he said.
Lai’s victory will surely cause protest from Beijing, which would have preferred the China-friendly KMT and Hou Yu-ih in power. China's Taiwan Affairs Office on Thursday labeled Lai as an "obstinate Taiwan independence worker" that would bring “cross-strait confrontation and conflict.”
China has increased military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including near-daily incursions into the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and sending military ships near its maritime borders. With Lai as president, the Taiwanese have made clear they will not back down from Chinese intimidation.
