The island of Taiwan is preparing to elect its new president on January 13th. What seemed like an election without much emotion, favoring an independence candidate for the island over mainland China, finally changed during the month of November when the opposition, more inclined to an alliance with Beijing, tried to “broad front” against the name of the government, now Vice President William Lai.
However, this opposition alliance collapsed last week in a public debate that was filmed and broadcast on national television.
The meeting was organized at a hotel by the billionaire owner of electronics manufacturer Foxconn, Terry Gou, himself an independent candidate in the election. The aim of the conversation was precisely to find out which of the two opposition candidates should be elected by the broad front. Together they could push the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from power.
As mutual accusations of bad faith emerged from both sides, Kuomitang Party leader Hou YuIh even read out a text message from his rival, Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko WenJe, saying that Terry Gou (the debate moderator) had to “ “Find a reason” to end the campaign.
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