Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen on ‘last mile’ of fight for presidency, but her battle has just begun
As Taiwanese go to the polls today, Tsai Ing-wen of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party is within grasp of the island’s top post.
But there are questions over whether the 59-year-old scholar-turned politician will be able to deliver on her promise to steer the island away from economic hardship and social injustice.
Many Taiwanese, mainlanders, and even Americans are asking the same questions: Is she able to deal with a Beijing eager to bring Taiwan back into its fold? Can she maintain cross-strait stability, given the pro-independence platform of her party?
READ MORE: It ain’t over till the lady wins: Taiwan’s presidential candidates in last gasp effort for votes
Four years ago, a weary Tsai led party bigwigs in offering a bow of gratitude to thousands of crestfallen yellow-raincoat-clad supporters, conceding defeat to her Kuomintang opponent incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou, amid drizzle in the dark night.
Admitting that she still had the “last mile” to go, Tsai pledged: “Dear people of Taiwan, we will come back one day, for sure.”
Tsai’s swift comeback is thanks in large part to the poor performance of the Ma government and a lacklustre economy which has irked a great number of Taiwanese – particularly the young, many of whom struggle to support themselves financially.
