Polls are open on Taiwan Saturday in local elections that President Tsai Ing-wen has shaped is intended to send a message to the world of the island’s determination to defend its democracy against Chinese onslaught. . increasing aggression.
Local elections, for city mayors, county chiefs and local councilors, are ostensibly about domestic issues such as Covid-19 pandemic and crime, and the elected have no direct say in Chinese policy.
But Tsai has described the election as more than a local poll, saying the world is watching how Taiwan defends its democracy amid military tensions with China, the claim the island as his territory.
China carried out drills near Taiwan in August to express anger over the visit to Taipei by the then Speaker of the US House of Representatives. Nancy Pelosi and its military activities continued, albeit on a smaller scale.
Taiwan’s main opposition party, Kuomintang, or KMT, won the 2018 local elections, accusing Tsai Ing-wen and the DPP of being overly confrontational with China. Traditionally, the Kuomintang favors closer ties with China but strongly denies supporting Beijing.
The election will take place one month after the end of the 20 Conference of the Communist Party of China, where Chairman Xi Jinping secure an unprecedented third term – a point Tsai has made several times during the campaign.
While the outcome of the election will be an important measure of popular support for both parties, it should not necessarily be taken as a harbinger of presidential and national elections. next meeting in 2024.
Tsai and the DPP defeated the Kuomintang in 2020 badly despite their defeat in local polls in 2018. Her second term will end in 2024 and she cannot run for re-election for general. because of term limits.
Both parties have focused their efforts on affluent and populous northern Taiwan, especially the capital Taipei, whose current mayor, of the tiny Taiwan People’s Party, is unable to run for re-election after two years. term.
Elections in Taiwan are a noisy and colorful event, with candidates circling their districts in trucks and SUVs seeking support, to the music blaring and loud. fluttering campaign flags.
There was also a vote on lowering the voting age to 18 from 20, which both parties supported.
The election results will be clear in the early hours of Saturday night.
