Outsider Ko Wen-je could become Taiwan's president

Subject

Profile of Ko Wen-je.

Significance

There are strong indications that Ko Wen-je, the independent mayor of Taipei, will run for election as Taiwan’s president in January 2020. Presidential hopefuls often launch their election campaigns with US trips to shore up relations with Washington, Taiwan’s key security backer; Ko will make a nine-day visit to the United States later this month. He also stated last month that he was considering forming a new political party; the single reason he would need a party of his own would be to make a run for the presidency.

Impacts

• Ko would be a controversial and probably one-term president.
• Ko could have a game-changing impact in the short term but is unlikely to alter Taiwan's political landscape fundamentally in the long term.
• Ko would likely take a more moderate stance on China than Tsai does.
• Ko's outspokenness is what makes him popular, but it also makes him prone to gaffes that could ultimately undermine him.