The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) yesterday agreed to use public polling to decide on a coalition presidential ticket, with the result to be announced on Saturday.
New Taipei City Mayor and KMT candidate Hou You-yi (侯友宜), KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) and TPP Chairman and candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) met in a last-minute attempt to break a stalemate over who would represent the opposition on the presidential ballot for the Jan. 13 elections.
The parties met behind closed doors at the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation in Taipei, with former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) serving as a witness.
Photo courtesy of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)
In a joint statement following the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the participants said they had agreed to use polling results as the basis of their decision on whether Hou or Ko would lead the ballot as presidential candidate, and who would serve as running mate.
Polling experts would analyze the results of public opinion polls conducted from Tuesday last week to tomorrow, in addition to one poll conducted by each of the parties, they said.
For each poll, if a candidate wins by more than the margin of error, they would receive one point, but if neither exceeds the margin of error, it would count as one point toward a Hou-led ticket, they said.
This means that for Ko to earn a point, he would have to win a poll by more than the margin of error.
The KMT, the TPP and Ma would each nominate a polling expert of their choice, the statement said, adding that the result would be announced by the foundation on Saturday morning.
The parties were previously at an impasse on how to form a coalition ballot, with the KMT favoring an open primary and the TPP favoring opinion polls.
The decision appears to be a compromise between these positions, with the KMT conceding to the use of opinion polls, although its candidate is to be prioritized in close contests.
The two sides struck “a cooperation agreement, creating a new record in Taiwan’s political history,” Ma told reporters after the meeting.
“This cooperation will enable mutual assistance between the two parties in future elections and other aspects, making it a very memorable day for both parties,” he added.
“Regardless of the outcome, and no matter who is the presidential or vice presidential candidate, we must work hand-in-hand to ensure peace and stability in the Republic of China,” Hou said.
After the ballot is decided, the two parties are to form a joint campaign to assist all candidates from the two parties running in the legislative elections, the statement said.
They also agreed to form a coalition Cabinet if elected, with ministers other than for national defense, foreign affairs and cross-strait affairs — who are chosen by the president — to be decided based on the proportion of legislators from each party, it said.
The TPP would focus on government supervision, while the KMT would be responsible for construction and development, the statement said.
Candidates for the presidential election must formally register from Monday to Friday next week.
Kuo Ya-hui (郭雅慧), spokeswoman for Vice President William Lai’s (賴清德) campaign office, accused the parties of seeking to “share the spoils.”
Whether they team up or not, Lai, of the Democratic Progressive Party, remains the only candidate with a complete policy blueprint, she said, adding that their campaign would not be affected by the decision.
Additional reporting by Chen Yun, CNA and AFP
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College