2024 presidential elections

Will the Pan-Blue Camp Unite Before Elections?

Brian Hioe
Despite many predictions that a split pan-Blue vote is likely to result in a DPP victory for its presidential candidate, William Lai, Foxconn founder Terry Gou, and TPP presidential candidate Ko Wen-je remain unlikely to pull out of the race. This has been labeled by some to be an irrational political move, seeing as the pan-Blue camp only stands a chance for any of its candidates to win if the other candidates unite behind a single one. Polling shows that Terry Gou, who is trailing in number three, is least likely to win...
EnglishPoliticsSeptember 20237 min read

KMT Party Congress Reaffirms Hou’s Nomination, But In-Fighting Continues

Brian Hioe
The KMT party congress took place yesterday at the Banqiao Stadium in New Taipei. There were few surprises at the party congress, with KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih officially confirmed as the party’s candidate. There has been speculation for some weeks that Hou could potentially face being replaced as the KMT party candidate, due to Hou’s weak performance in polls so far. This was the scenario that took place in the 2016 presidential elections, with Hung Hsiu-chu being swapped out in favor of current party chair Eric Chu...
EnglishJuly 2023Politics6 min read

Is Hou You-yi Leaning Into Nuclear Advocacy to Pacify the KMT?

Brian Hioe
KMT presidential candidate Hou You-yi has begun to lean into advocacy of nuclear power in the course of campaigning at a time of flagging ratings. Hou currently polls worse than former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, who is the presidential candidate of the TPP and KMT chair Eric Chu has had to fend off rumors that the KMT is considering replacing Hou as its candidate. Hou is calling for restarts of nuclear plants in Shihmen and Guosheng, the highly controversial No. 4 nuclear reactor, and extending the lifespan of the Ma-anshan plant...
EnglishJune 2023Politics5 min read

Lin Fei-fan Announces His Withdrawal from Elections

Brian Hioe
DPP legislative candidate Lin Fei-fan, best known as one of the student leaders of the 2014 Sunflower Movement, announced his withdrawal from the 2024 legislative elections yesterday in a surprise move. This was to take responsibility for the current wave of controversies faced by the DPP regarding issues of sexual harassment within the party, seeing as Lin was seen as responsible through overseeing the DPP’s Gender Equality Committee during his period as a deputy secretary-general of the party–even if he did not commit any acts of wrongdoing...
EnglishJune 2023Politics6 min read

Ahead of Elections, Ko Wen-je Seeks to Recalibrate Cross-Strait Stance

Brian Hioe
Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je has continued efforts to shift perceptions of his stance on cross-strait relations in recent days. Namely, Ko seems to be trying to recalibrate his stance on cross-strait relations ahead of the 2024 elections, during which he will be running as the presidential candidate of the TPP. Ko founded the TPP in order to strengthen his standing for a presidential run and he is the party’s chair...
EnglishJune 2023Politics7 min read