Overview

• Taiwan's presidential race sees outsider Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party leading with an approval rating of 31.9%, followed by Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te with 29.2%, and Kuomintang's Hou Yu-ih in third place with 23.6%.
• The opposition parties' attempt to form an alliance to increase the chances of a pro-China government failed, with the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party unable to agree on a combined ticket leader.
• The failure of the opposition alliance is seen as strengthening the ruling DPP's position, which has been leading in independent opinion polls.
• The election comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with China escalating military activity in the Taiwan Strait and other nearby waters, pressing its sovereignty claims over Taiwan.
• The outcome of Taiwan's elections will likely influence U.S.-China relations and impact security in the Asia-Pacific region.