“I am extremely honored to accept the nomination and formally represent the party in the race to become the nation’s next president,” Tsai said. “I once again welcome this challenge and intend to show I can lead the country toward change, restore the people’s confidence and light up Taiwan.”
Tsai previously contested the ROC’s top job in 2012 but lost to incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou by a margin of 6 percent, or around 800,000, votes. She launched her second bid Feb. 15 by registering as the only contestant in the DPP primary and won unanimous party support.
In Tsai’s acceptance speech, she vowed to incorporate an inclusive approach in formulating her policy platform based on economic reform, developing international relations and reviewing cross-strait exchanges.
In related news, the ruling Kuomintang said its presidential candidate will be decided by May-end at the earliest. “Nomination procedures kick off April 20 and conclude May 16,” KMT Secretary-General Lee Shu-chuan said. “The primary election may be dispensed with in the case of a single candidate, and the result announced immediately.”
The upcoming presidential election, to be held concurrently with the legislative ballot, is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2016, according to the Central Election Commission. (YHC-JSM)
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