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by
N. Peter Kramer
Until recently two of the three candidates in the upcoming January 2016 Presidential election were women; both candidates of the two major political parties, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the ruling Kuomintang or Nationalist Party (KMT). For a long time it looked as though the people of Taiwan (Republic of China) might elect a woman as next President of their country.
The DPP candidate, Ms Tsai Ing-wen, lost her first bid for the presidency in 2012 to incumbent President, Ma Ying-jeou (KMT). Ma cannot be returned again as President because, as in the USA, two terms in office are the constitutional limit. This time Ms Tsai Ing-wen has maintained a strong lead in the opinion polls. Until recently her chief contender was Ms Hung Hsiu-chu (KMT), Vice-President of the Taiwanese Parliament.
However, October 17 a special Kuomintang Congress decided to replace her by Party Chairman and New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu. This move was made after Ms Hung’s slumping poll numbers. Her already weak chances were further dented by James Soon, candidate of a third party, the People First Party. Doubts over the suitability of her cross-strait policy also played a significant role in the change.
Views on ‘cross-strait policy’, the relationship between the island nation Taiwan and its huge neighbour on the other side of Taiwan Strait, Mainland China (Peoples Republic of China), is the main point of difference between the two major parties.
Ms Tsai’s party does not want any rapprochement with the Mainland, which officially considers Taiwan as a part of its territory. President Ma and his KMT, started a dialogue with Beijing that resulted in the 2010 signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) boosting tourism and trade (though not yet in all sectors).
In his acceptance speech the new presidential candidate Mr. Chu apologised to Ms. Hung and her supporters for the decision, describing it as a necessary one underscoring his commitment to the party and President Ma Ying-jeou’s cross-strait policy and development of the country. Ms. Hung accepted the move with good grace and reaffirmed her unwavering support for the KMT. She urged her supporters to follow suit.
According to a poll released October 18, Eric Chu had 22% support; James Soon of People First Party 14% and Ms Tsai Ying-wen (DPP) 44%. Election Day is Sunday 16 January 2016!
