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Taiwan election 2024
ChinaPolitics

Taiwan’s opposition KMT, TPP agree to joint ticket in presidential race

  • Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party to announce candidate and running mate on Saturday
  • The two mainland-friendly parties say they hope to form a coalition government

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(From left) KMT chairman Eric Chu, KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih, former president Ma Ying-jeou and TPP chairman Ko Wen-je in Taipei on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Lawrence Chungin Taipei
Taiwan’s two main opposition parties have agreed to form a joint ticket in January’s crucial presidential election that is being closely watched by Beijing and Washington.

The move comes as opinion polling suggests a joint opposition bid will offer the most likely chance to defeat the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party. Vice-President William Lai Ching-te, the DPP candidate, has been front runner in the race since he was nominated in April.

Vice-President William Lai is the front runner in January’s presidential election. Photo: Reuters
Vice-President William Lai is the front runner in January’s presidential election. Photo: Reuters

The main opposition Kuomintang and smaller Taiwan People’s Party agreed to join forces in a meeting on Wednesday, with the aim of forming a coalition government next year.

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They will announce the presidential candidate and their running mate on Saturday, ahead of registration which begins next week.

“I believe the cooperation agreement between the KMT and the TPP sets a historic record in Taiwan and that the two sides will be able to help each other in future elections and other areas,” former president and ex-KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou said after the meeting.
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Also attending were KMT chairman Eric Chu Li-luan and the two parties’ presidential candidates – TPP chairman Ko Wen-je and the KMT’s Hou Yu-ih, mayor of New Taipei City. They held talks for more than 2½ hours at the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation in Taipei.

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