Quirky Turns and Family Fractures Shake Up Taiwan’s Presidential Race
TAICHUNG, Taiwan — Taiwan’s presidential race has recently witnessed a series of interesting and unexpected developments, adding a touch of quirkiness to the political landscape. One such unusual twist involves the introduction of The Three Little Pigs into the political discussion, bringing a playful element to the campaign. Moreover, family fractures in various regions of Taiwan are reshaping alliances and highlighting the complex dynamics at play.
Presidential hopeful Terry Gou, founder of Foxconn, and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je have been actively cultivating relationships with local patronage faction politicians who possess significant influence in mobilizing voters. Despite lackluster poll numbers, Gou appears to be gaining more support from these politicians due to his extensive economic experience, which none of the declared candidates possess.
Gou has been holding election-style rallies, hinting at a potential candidacy without formally announcing it. In a recent rally in Miaoli, Gou spoke alongside former and current county commissioners, causing a rebuke from the Kuomintang (KMT). While Gou rallied the crowd to bring down the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), former County Commissioner Hsu Yao-chang went further, expressing his desire to also dismantle the KMT for self-reflection. The reaction of County Commissioner Zhong Dongjin, however, stole the spotlight as he nervously laughed and made a face plant.
Another incident that has caught attention involved a Nantou County council deputy speaker who shared a scathing Facebook post criticizing Hou Yu-ih, a candidate for the presidency, and claiming that if Hou were to win, he would become a vegetarian for life. Hou responded gracefully, stating that choosing a vegetarian lifestyle is not a bad decision.
Family fractures are also emerging within political families across central, east, and south Taiwan, where factions still hold sway. While it is possible that these families genuinely have internal disagreements, it is also likely that they are hedging their bets on the eventual winner. In Hualien, the county council speaker supports Hou, while his wife is the president of the Taiwan People’s Party Hualien Women’s Power Support Association and supports Ko. Similarly, in Pingtung, the county council speaker backs Gou, while his daughter, the mayor of Pingtung City, supports Hou. In Changhua, the county council speaker recently quit the KMT to support Gou’s bid, while his sister, a local legislator and high-ranking KMT party official, remains loyal to Hou.
The most significant split within a political family is seen among the influential Chang family of Yunlin County. Former Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Jong-wei supports Gou, organizing a large banquet in his honor, which was attended by numerous individuals, including county council speakers and influential former KMT lawmaker Alex Tsai. Unexpectedly, Chang expressed his hope that none of the three main parties would win the majority in the next legislature.
During one of Gou’s speeches, he brought up the metaphor of The Three Little Pigs, referring to himself and the two other main candidates, Ko and Hou. Gou emphasized the need for unity to repel the big, bad wolf, symbolizing Lai Ching-te. He called for a meeting over coffee to discuss unity, though it remains unclear if Ko will accept the invitation. Both Ko and Hou have made it clear that they will continue their bids for the presidency, regardless of whether a unity meeting takes place. However, Gou’s chances of a Three Little Pigs meetup seem to have been jeopardized with his recent remarks, suggesting that he is being attacked by the opposition parties, rather than focusing on confronting Lai Ching-te and the ruling DPP.
In an upcoming rally for pedestrian safety in Taipei, all three candidates, along with Lai Ching-te, are set to attend. The event will undoubtedly attract attention, as observers keep a close eye on the interactions and dynamics among the candidates.
As Taiwan’s presidential race unfolds, the introduction of quirky elements and the emergence of family fractures are injecting unpredictability and adding layers of complexity to the already dynamic political landscape. The candidates must navigate these challenges and find ways to appeal to voters amidst shifting alliances and evolving narratives.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of OpenAI.
