With Terry Gou out of Taiwan’s presidential race, chance for KMT to regain power improves, analysts say
- Incumbent Tsai Ing-wen is facing opposition from a former vice-president, increasing the likelihood of a split vote by proponents of independence
- Kuomintang candidate Han Kuo-yu is seen as benefiting from both moves
Foxconn founder Terry Gou’s decision to pull out of Taiwan’s presidential campaign creates a better chance for the mainland-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) to return to power next year, analysts said, as his withdrawal helps forge unity within the opposition party.
That opportunity grew stronger on Tuesday when former vice-president Annette Lu Hsiu-lien announced her bid to run for the island’s top post against incumbent Tsai Ing-wen, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and the KMT presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu, observers said.
“Gou has faced strong pressure of [being accused of] creating a split vote within the KMT as he has strong support from those who opt for a better economy and the young voters,” said Wang Kung-yi, a professor of political science at Chinese Culture University in Taipei.
Voting will take place in January.
Formerly a KMT member, Gou was defeated by Han in the party’s primaries in July. In a surprise move last week, the billionaire quit the party after the KMT published a half-page advertisement in several newspapers, appealing for unity and asking Gou to support Han.