From Fortune:

– Lai Ching-te from the Democratic Progressive Party elected as Taiwan’s president with 40% of the votes, marking a third consecutive presidential term for the DPP, serving since 1996 elections began.

– President-elect Lai pledges to maintain peace and stability in Taiwan straits, where relations with the People’s Republic of China are tense. Lai will succeed Tsai in May.

– Critical flashpoint Taiwan is a self-governing democracy, but China considers it a breakaway province. Taiwan has an important semiconductor industry and a strong economic role worldwide.

– Lower-than-expected voter turnout was reported in Saturday’s election in Taiwan, with nearly 20 million people eligible to vote. Turnout was just under 70%, lower than the expected 75%.

– Despite some discontent with the DPP, Lai was always the frontrunner, partly due to a divided opposition, and KMT and the Taiwan People’s Party failed to work together. KMT presidential candidate Hou You-ih got 33.4% of the vote, and TPP’s Ko Wen-je got 26.4%.

– Domestic issues like housing prices and wages also influenced the elections. The opposition KMT is now the largest party in the 113-member Legislative Yuan, setting up the TPP as the kingmakers with 8 seats.

– Lai, in his victory remarks, acknowledged that the DPP did not secure a legislative majority. Lai will need to work with the Yuan to implement policy.

– The KMT’s traditional stronghold, Hsinchu, is home to the Hsinchu Science Park, leaning towards the party. The party’s presidential candidate, Hou, conceded and expressed regret at not winning.



Read more: Taiwan’s DPP wins presidency in election closely watched by China