Taiwan's Opposition Fails to Unify Ahead of Presidential Election

The public feud and inability to form a coalition boosts governing Democratic Progressive Party's chances, potentially escalating tensions with Beijing.

Taiwan's opposition parties, the Nationalist Party and the Taiwan People’s Party, failed to form a coalition for the upcoming presidential election, boosting the chances of the governing Democratic Progressive Party's candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te.
The opposition parties' public feud and inability to agree on a joint presidential ticket have left many observers baffled and could have implications beyond Taiwan, affecting the balance between Beijing and Washington over the island's future status.
The Democratic Progressive Party, which asserts Taiwan's distinctive identity and nationhood, has been leading in the polls for months, despite a drop in the party's approval rating.
The opposition parties' failure to unify and their struggle to convince voters that closer ties with Beijing are beneficial have boosted Lai's chances in the election.
If the Democratic Progressive Party wins, tensions are expected to escalate as Beijing may increase its military coercion to deter any changes in policy, which could prompt a response from the U.S.

South China Morning Post