Ko Wen-je: the provocative outsider who could tip Taiwan election balance

Ko Wen-je arriving at an election campaign event in Kaohsiung. Photograph: Ann Wang/Reuters

His off-colour jokes, provocative streak and relative lack of political experience make Ko Wen-je the wildcard choice for this weekend’s closely watched presidential elections in Taiwan. But with an impressive turnout at recent rallies and a huge following on social media, there are signs that the outsider may have been underestimated.

The vote on Saturday, in which 19 million Taiwanese will choose their next president, is one of the most closely contested races since the self-governing island first held elections in 1996. Legislative elections, which are looking just as uncertain, will be held on the same day.