Blue-White Coalition’s Setback
As Taiwan gears up for the January 2024 election, the much-anticipated “Blue-White Coalition” has faced a setback. Last Friday (11/24), both Kuomintang’s (KMT) Hou You-yi and People First Party’s (PFP) Ko Wen-je independently registered as presidential candidates.
Tensions and Quirks in the Talks
The suspense surrounding opposition party collaboration has gripped Taiwan for over a month. A crucial negotiation unfolded at the Grand Hyatt Taipei last Thursday evening (11/23) involving KMT, PFP, and the independent presidential candidate, Terry Kuo (who ultimately did not register). Initiated by Kuo, the talks aimed to facilitate cooperation between Hou and Ko. Tensions ran high during the discussion, with Hou repeatedly bringing up polling controversies, and Ko insisting he did not breach any agreements. In a dramatic exit, Kuo quipped, “I didn’t pass statistics, and I allow myself to go to the bathroom!” The negotiations concluded without consensus, unraveling in front of numerous media outlets.
Hou, KMT Chairman Eric Chu, and former President Ma Ying-jeou left the scene displeased eventually, leaving Ko and Kuo behind. This real-life breakup drama, dubbed by Taiwanese netizens as the “Reality Show of Political Separation,” played out to its final chapter under the scrutiny of the public eye.
The Final Presidential Candidate Pairings
On Friday morning, KMT held a central committee meeting, during which Hou You-yi announced that his running mate is veteran media personality Zhao Shao-kang. The duo then proceeded to the Central Election Commission to formalize their candidacy.
Meanwhile, Ko Wen-je of the People First Party, along with his running mate, legislator and granddaughter of the founder of Shin Kong Department Store, Wu Hsin-ying (Cynthia Wu), also registered at the Central Election Commission last Friday morning.
As for the Democratic Progressive Party, Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim had previously registered for candidacy.