EDITORIAL: Lai victory is not guaranteedThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) had engaged in weeks of political horse-trading between high-ranking officials, hoping to form a joint ticket to win January’s presidential election, but it all ended in a dramatic public falling out on live television on Thursday. While the answer seems obvious, it still might not be as “easy” a win for Lai and his running mate — former representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) — as many disappointed pan-blue supporters believe. With the KMT and TPP, which seek closer China ties, having failed to form a joint ticket, it is likely that Beijing would ramp up its efforts to interfere in Taiwan’s election process. There is still time for voters to shift their support based on how the three campaigns present themselves, as well as Chinese interference. So there is no guaranteed win for any party.
