The B-movie drama of the “blue-white alliance” that has dragged on for too long has finally come to an end. New Taipei City Mayor and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Hou You-yi (侯友宜), Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) and former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) agreed to use public polling to decide on a coalition presidential ticket. They also agreed to form a coalition Cabinet if elected.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) benefits most from the alliance, as the KMT and the TPP will do Xi’s bidding in Taiwan.
The second winner is Ma, who does not want to be left alone after his departure from office. That Ma will announce the polling result proves that he is a proxy for China.
Ko also wins. With China’s help, he could increase his online presence and turn his political capital from potential to substance. Ko is still in charge of his party’s at-large vote, which means he can take advantage of the alliance regardless of the scenario.
The KMT is the loser and it has helped Ko become a stronger rival.
Chu said that the meeting was historic. This is indeed true. However, the meeting had nothing to do with advancing democracy. Instead, it is a “third united front” formed by the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The KMT has aligned itself with Ko and accepted the CCP. Most likely, the KMT is already trapped in the endgame.
The public is not fooled. The KMT and the TPP have repeatedy said that they are working together for a mutual goal, but what is this goal? To oust the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and uphold the CCP. It is no wonder the KMT has legislators like Wu Sz-huai (吳斯懷) and Hung Mong-kai (洪孟楷), while the TPP defends someone like Xu Chun-ying (徐春鶯).
Chu said that 60 percent of the public hope for a change in the governing party. His statement is a political kidnapping of those who have not taken a side, and Chu is sending an incorrect message to the international community. When the blue and white camps say that a coalition would be formed, Taiwanese want to ask: Who exactly is involved in this coalition?
The world is changing rapidly. When the democratic alliance in the world is supporting Taiwan, Taiwanese must choose the right person for the sake of their future. The more than a century-old KMT has failed to reform and evolve. Taiwanese should refuse to be betrayed again. Ma’s eight years in office led to nothing but problems. Enough is enough.
Sheng I-che is the host of Face China.
Translated by Emma Liu
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