Taiwan’s ruling party picks pro-independence VP as new leader

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President William Lai attend a New Year flag-raising ceremony outside the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Taiwan, on Jan 1, 2023. (Taiwan Presidential Office/Handout via REUTERS)

Taiwan’s ruling party has chosen Vice President William Lai as its next chairman, putting the self-described “political worker for Taiwanese independence” in line to be a top challenger in the next presidential election.

Lai won 99.65% of the total vote in an uncontested election, the Democratic Progressive Party said in a statement, securing the position that Tsai Ing-wen used as a springboard to the presidency.