In a surprising shift, Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has emerged as a proponent of peace following his recent victory in Taiwan's regional elections. Known for his strong pro-independence stance, Lai emphasized dialogue and cooperation in his victory speech, signaling a potential new direction for the Taiwan region.
\"We must replace encirclement with exchanges, and confrontation with dialogue, in order to achieve peace and co-prosperity. The only way out is to have peace, equality, and a democratic dialogue,\" Lai stated, highlighting his commitment to fostering harmonious relations and mutual growth.
The election results reflect a significant shift in voter priorities. According to surveys conducted by local institutes before the regional election, economic issues have taken precedence over political stances regarding the Chinese mainland. Challenges such as stagnating salaries, soaring housing prices, and high unemployment rates have become the focal points for voters in the Taiwan region.
Statistics from the Taipei City Government reveal that the average house price in Taipei is 30 times the annual income of local residents, creating a daunting barrier to home ownership. These economic pressures have made making a decent living the top concern for young voters, overshadowing fears of conflict.
BBC highlighted this sentiment in its coverage of the election, stating, \"It's not war young voters worry about – it's jobs.\" By advocating for peace and open dialogue, Lai aims to address these economic anxieties and secure broader support.
Despite his message of peace, Lai won the election with only about 40 percent of the popular vote, marking the lowest vote share in Taiwan's electoral history. The regional leader position was decided by a simple majority, allowing Lai to triumph despite a fragmented voter base. This outcome underscores the electorate's desire for pragmatic solutions to pressing economic issues over traditional political alignments.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
