Taiwan: the epilogue of the presidential campaign takes place in Kaohsiung

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It is the epilogue of the Taiwanese presidential campaign which begins today. Residents of the country's third city, Kaohsiung, are invited to vote for or against the removal of their mayor, Han Kuo-yu. The former presidential candidate for the Chinese Nationalist Party is accused of having turned his back on his voters; but he is especially strongly criticized for his style considered populist and his conciliatory position vis-à-vis the demands of Beijing.

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With our correspondent in Taiwan, Adrien Simorre

Temperature measurement and mask compulsory at the entrance to the voting booths of the country's third city, Kaohsiung. The question posed to the two million or so voters is simple: "Are you for the removal of your mayor, Han Kuo-yu? "

"  Beautiful promises  "

For Lai Hui-qing, a 32-year-old hairdresser, the mayor must leave his post: “  He made many beautiful promises to the inhabitants during his election, but three months later, he ran for president. To me, it's as if he had abandoned the locals . "

Sulfurous politician, subscribed to misogynist outings, Han Kuo-yu also worries many Taiwanese people for his ambiguous positions facing Beijing. Nai Jia, 31, drove five hours from Taipei just to come and vote: "  We want to send a message to China, Han Guo-yu and the Kuomintang party to tell them we don't want them to threaten our democracy and challenge everything that the older generation did for our country . "

In this polling station, no support for the mayor. The latter called on his supporters to boycott the poll. An unbearable voting instruction for Ms. Chen, 85, who demonstrated for Taiwanese democracy in the 1990s: “  When we were young, we did like the Hong Kong people today, we fought for democracy ; today, it is therefore very important to come and defend it.  "

A first in Taiwan

The dismissal of the mayor would be a first in Taiwan and a real disappointment for the camp of the Chinese Nationalist Party. The first results are expected from the start of the evening.

Read also: Tsai Ing-wen does not want to "downgrade" Taiwan and wants dialogue with Beijing

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