2020 presidential elections

Unexpected Reversals in the Pan-Blue Camp Over the Past Year Indicate Party’s Tenuous Future

Brian Hioe
The KMT appeared to have experienced a reversal of political fortunes in 2018 elections, in which against expectations, the KMT proved resurgent. Some half a year later, the KMT’s fortunes seem to have reversed. Backlash against the KMT ensued after it released its party list, which was stacked with pro-China candidates. Han is increasingly unpopularity as candidate, having incensed the public with numerous gaffes and having gained a reputation for mismanagement as mayor of Kaohsiung...
EnglishJanuary 2020Politics7 min read

Third and Final Presidential Policy Presentation Takes Place

Brian Hioe
The third and final televised presidential policy presentation took place yesterday, consisting of three rounds of exchanges between presidential candidates Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP, Han Kuo-yu of the KMT, and James Soong of the PFP. Overall, the last policy presentation was probably the least substantive, with only Tsai referring to concrete policy and Soong and Han focusing primarily on attacking Tsai...
December 2019EnglishPolitics8 min read

Misogyny, Racism, and Homophobia Abound in 2020 Elections

Brian Hioe
In examining many of the prominent male politicians playing important roles in 2020 elections, a striking commonality is their frequent overt displays of misogyny, racism, and homophobia. This is true of individuals including but not limited to Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu, the KMT’s presidential candidate, his running mate Simon Chang, KMT chair Wu Den-yih, and Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, who is not running but whose Taiwan People’s Party will be fielding a number of legislative candidates in 2020 elections...
December 2019EnglishPolitics6 min read

Anger After Comments by Ko Regarding Victims of Political Persecution

Brian Hioe
As an unorthodox politician who originally campaigned in 2014 with the claim that he was a regular person that sought to enter politics, rather than a slick and polished member of the political establishment, Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je has established a reputation for gaffes over the years. It may not be surprising that Ko has once again provoked ire with a number of recent comments...
EnglishOctober 2019Politics9 min read

Annette Lu Illustrates How Yesterday’s Revolutionaries are Today’s Reactionaries in Contemporary Taiwan

Brian Hioe
Annette Lu proves the perfect illustration of how many of yesterday’s revolutionaries have become today’s reactionaries in contemporary Taiwan. In fact, that individuals such as Lu or many others of her generation continue to be involved in contemporary Taiwanese politics ultimately threatens the future of Taiwan itself, in significantly increasing the likelihood of splits in the pan-Green camp in a manner that could result in a KMT victory...
EnglishPoliticsSeptember 201913 min read