Taiwan Presidential Election 2024: Candidates and Key Issues

Overview

The 2024 Taiwan presidential election is set to take place on January 13, 2024. The election will see the incumbent president, Tsai Ing-wen, vying for a second term against a challenger from the Kuomintang (KMT), the main opposition party. Several other candidates from minor parties are also expected to run.

Candidates

Tsai Ing-wen (DPP)

Tsai Ing-wen is the incumbent president of Taiwan. She is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and was elected in 2016. Tsai is a strong supporter of Taiwan's independence and has pledged to continue to resist pressure from China.

Eric Chu (KMT)

Eric Chu is the current leader of the Kuomintang (KMT). He was elected chairman of the party in 2021 and is considered to be the frontrunner for the KMT nomination in the 2024 presidential election. Chu is a former mayor of New Taipei City and is seen as a moderate within the KMT.

Other Candidates

Several other candidates from minor parties are also expected to run in the 2024 presidential election. These candidates include:

• James Soong, a former governor of Taiwan Province
• Ko Wen-je, the incumbent mayor of Taipei
• Terry Gou, a billionaire businessman

Key Issues

Cross-Strait Relations

The most important issue in the 2024 presidential election is likely to be cross-strait relations. China has claimed Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to bring it under its control, by force if necessary. Taiwan, on the other hand, has maintained its de facto independence since 1949 and has its own democratically elected government.

Domestic Policy

Other key issues in the election are likely to include domestic policy issues such as the economy, healthcare, and education. The economy of Taiwan has been growing steadily in recent years, but there is still a need for reforms to make it more competitive. Healthcare and education are also important issues for voters, as they are for many people around the world.

Conclusion

The 2024 Taiwan presidential election is likely to be a close and hard-fought contest. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on the future of Taiwan and its relations with China.