Taiwan¡¯s ruling Democratic People¡¯s Party (DPP) aims to make history this weekend by becoming the self-ruled island¡¯s first party to win a third consecutive presidential election ¡ª an achievement that would also deal a heavy blow to Beijing¡¯s efforts to bring the island closer to China.
Yet expectations that front-runner and current Vice President Lai Ching-te would simply stroll to victory on Saturday have been dashed, as the final weeks of campaigning have seen his main rival, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), significantly narrow Lai¡¯s lead in polls.
This has set the stage for what could be the island¡¯s most hotly contested presidential race in decades.
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