According to the preliminary results of counting the votes of the presidential elections in Taiwan, the representative of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Lai Ching-te, is leading in the election race.
What is known about the presidential election in Taiwan
The incumbent Vice President Lai Ching-te, from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, took part in the presidential election in Taiwan.
The mayor of New Taipei City is Hou Yue of the Kuomintang Party, as well as the leader of the newly formed Taiwan People's Party, Ko Wen-je.
In addition to electing a new president, voters will determine the new makeup of the legislature by electing their local MPs as well as legislators at large. The DPP has held the majority in the unicameral legislature since Tsai Ing-wen first won the presidential election in 2016, the newspaper's journalists note.
According to the results of counting 99% of electoral votes with 40.1% support, Lai Ching-te is in the lead.
His opponent Hou Yue has 33.4% of the vote.
The third place is occupied by Ko Wen-je with 26.4% of votes.
What is known about the impact of the elections in Taiwan on the security situation in the region
A large number of Western experts consider the presidential election in Taiwan to be very serious in terms of geopolitical significance.
Local authorities do not hide their concern that China may interfere in the demonstration of will.
In particular, China started launching balloons over the island on the eve of the vote.
On January 11, the United States gave a clear signal to China that it opposes any external interference or influence in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan.
