-News Photo Album-

Taiwan Presidential Election 2016

Photos: Regina Tsz-Ching Lam
Date: Jan. 14-16, 2016

A young audience of the DPP’s campaign rally holds up the flag of the party’s presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen.

A young audience of the DPP’s campaign rally holds up the flag of the party’s presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen.

After former President Ma Ying-jeou had been in power for eight years, Taiwan held a presidential election on Jan. 16, 2016, to elect its next leader. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s candidate Tsai Ing-wen defeated Eric Chu of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), becoming the first female president of Taiwan. As KMT, which advocated improving ties with China, suffered a historic loss, many saw the election result as a major vote for a more distanced relationship with China.

The following photos captured the joy and sadness of the winning and losing camps.

 
Tsai Ing-wen, the DPP’s presidential candidate, waves at supporters at a campaign rally in Changhua, Taiwan.

Tsai Ing-wen, the DPP’s presidential candidate, waves at supporters at a campaign rally in Changhua, Taiwan.

 

Supporters of the opposition DPP cheer for Tsai Ing-Wen at the final campaign rally in Taipei before the election.

Supporters of the opposition DPP cheer for Tsai Ing-Wen at the final campaign rally in Taipei before the election.

Eric Chu (center), the KMT’s presidential candidate, leaves the stage with his wife Kao Wan-ching (right) after he concedes defeat.

Eric Chu (center), the KMT’s presidential candidate, leaves the stage with his wife Kao Wan-ching (right) after he concedes defeat.

 

Zhang, a long-time supporter of the KMT, said she was disappointed by the election result.

Zhang, a long-time supporter of the KMT, said she was disappointed by the election result.

 
Supporters of Eric Chu listen to his concession speech outside of his campaign headquarters.

Supporters of Eric Chu listen to his concession speech outside of his campaign headquarters.