SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Han Kuo-yu’s downfall a lesson in Taiwan politics

The ousted Kaohsiung mayor tried to run before he could walk by taking on the seasoned Tsai Ing-wen in island’s presidential election

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Han Kuo-yu, the opposition candidate in this year’s Taiwanese presidential election, has been removed as mayor of the city of Kaohsiung. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Editorial

Published: 8:44pm, 8 Jun 2020Updated: 10:06pm, 8 Jun 2020

The rise and fall of Han Kuo-yu is a lesson to all aspiring politicians and those who back them. He was removed as mayor of Kaohsiung – Taiwan’s second-biggest city – in a landmark recall vote at the weekend, punishment for putting ambitions ahead of duties by taking a leave of absence to run for the presidency against Tsai Ing-wen in January. But he was also swept up in the rivalry between the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the anti-independence Kuomintang (KMT), the latter struggling to regain power. Those who desire closer cross-strait ties need not despair, though; lessons have been learned that will provide opportunities for future electoral encounters.

There was overwhelming support for Han’s removal, which was tragically followed by the death of his friend, the city council’s speaker, who fell from a 17th-floor window. It was a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for Han, who less than 19 months ago won the Kaohsiung mayoralty for the KMT, ending two decades of DPP rule. That gave his party’s supporters and Beijing heart after a series of dismal electoral performances and he was feted by officials on a visit to Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen. Within months he had been chosen to take on Tsai, his mainland-friendly credentials, outspoken conservative views and the lack of a viable rival within his party being considered a winning combination.

Miscalculations abounded, the biggest being the belief that Han, with only grass-roots political experience, could oust the far more seasoned Tsai. President Xi Jinping’s offer of the “one country, two systems” model under which Hong Kong is governed as the best approach to integrate the mainland and Taiwan fell flat when anti-government protests erupted in Hong Kong. Nor had the mayor had time to build a track record or realise promises to bring much-needed jobs to Kaohsiung through attracting investment. With an anti-Beijing backlash sweeping the island, Tsai took 57.1 per cent of the vote to Han’s 38.6 per cent.

Politicians and parties tend to overreach when faced with temptation. But they exist to serve the people and promises to the electorate have to be fulfilled. The KMT has much to glean from Han’s downfall.