TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je delivered his final plea to supporters at Taipei's Ketagalan Boulevard on Friday (Jan. 12), the prime venue for mass election rallies in Taiwan right outside the Presidential Office, as the countdown to Taiwan's general elections dipped below 12 hours.
Over the past week, Ko, a surgeon-turned-politician, has crisscrossed the island, employing his unique blend of pragmatism and a steadfast commitment to change to secure the highest office in the land.
Ko has emerged as the rising "third force," challenging the long-standing dominance of the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that have traditionally held sway in Taiwan's political landscape.
Central to Ko's appeal is his mantra of being "rational, pragmatic, and science-based" in decision-making processes, coupled with a firm vow to combat corruption.
The TPP, established four years ago, faces resource constraints compared to its more established counterparts; however, Ko is strategically targeting the youth vote, his largest support base, to tip the scales.
In a tactical move to compensate for his relatively weaker support among older voters, Ko has mobilized young supporters to canvass for him, reaching out to their older family members.
This innovative strategy is seen as an attempt to secure a larger youth vote, a demographic that has the potential to shape the outcome of the election.
As the nation's 19.5 million voters prepare to cast their ballots and decide Taiwan's next president, the significance of this election goes beyond selecting a leader; it is about charting the course for the country's future direction.
In a political landscape dominated by the KMT and DPP, Ko's surge as a formidable third force marks a potential turning point for Taiwan.
The electorate's decision on Saturday will not only determine the occupant of the presidential office but will also define the trajectory of Taiwan's political landscape in the years to come.