By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

TAIPEI, Taiwan –

Taiwan elected Tsai Ing-wen as its new president on Saturday, giving her Democratic Progressive Party greater control in its legislature. Ms. Tsai is the first woman in Taiwan’s history to win the presidential office and is now the most powerful female leader in Asia.

Ms. Tsai ran against Eric Chu, party secretary of the previously governing Kuomintang party, as well as a third-party candidate, James Soong. According to Taiwan’s Central Election Commission, 56% of the vote went to Ms. Tsai, while 31% of the vote went to Mr. Chu.

Economic issues were at the forefront of the election due to Taiwan’s stagnant economy. Ms. Tsai has spoken of strengthening regional industry and manufacturing as well as strengthening Taiwan’s international trade relationships during her presidency. The DPP will also work to improve education and tourism in Taiwan.

Ms. Tsai is only the second president in Taiwan’s history who does not belong to the Kuomintang party (KMT). The other president belonging to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Chen Shui-bian, held office from 2000-2008.

Taiwan was an authoritarian state under the KMT’s rule until the late 1980s, when democratic reforms began to be implemented. If the DPP is able to win full control of Taiwan’s legislature, it is expected to initiate an investigation into abuses committed by the KMT during the party’s rule.

Taiwan has been independent from China since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has threatened to take Taiwan back by military force. Taiwan is not formally independent from China in the international arena, with only a few countries recognizing it as an independent nation.

The DPP supports Taiwan’s formal independence from China, while some leaders in the KMT have strived to create a closer relationship with China. Taiwan’s previous president, Ma Ying-jeou, formed more than 20 agreements with China during his term.

Ms. Tsai has stated that she wishes to continue positive relations with China while maintaining Taiwan’s democracy and independence. China is Taiwan’s primary trade partner and receives a significant amount of Taiwan’s exports. Ms. Tsai will face the challenge of balancing Taiwan’s economic interests with its independence during her term as president.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC – Tsai Ing-wen Elected Taiwan’s First Female President – 17 January 2016

The Guardian – Taiwan Elects First Female President – 16 January 2016

The New York Times – Tsai Ing-wen Elected President of Taiwan, First Woman to Hold Office – 16 January 2016

Time – Taiwan Elects Its First Female President – 16 January 2016