Editorial: The Guardian

• Taiwan’s voters have put the economy at the top of their agenda.
• An existential question on the future of Taiwan sits with day-to-day concerns.
• China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has intensified its rhetoric, economic, and military pressure.
• Current vice-president, William Lai, is the frontrunner to replace Tsai Ing-wen, but only just.
• Voters' biggest grievances with the DPP are low wages, high housing costs, and poor public services.
• Taiwan's free and fair elections should be applauded amid growing authoritarianism in Asia.
• Beijing has made it clear it would retaliate for a third DPP term, perhaps targeting cross-strait trade deal and stepping up military activity.

Conclusion: The next president of Taiwan is likely to shape events less through proactive measures than his responses to circumstances he cannot dictate, such as China's internal politics, its military prowess, and its relationships with Washington.

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