Local Elections in Taiwan

There was a local elections in Taiwan. These local elections held on 24 November 2018. Also, 10 referendums was held 24 November 2018 alongside local elections. These local elections and referendums are also important for me because they were my first elections experience in Taiwan. 

In fact, the results of the referendum were more important for me than local elections results. Because inside referendums, there were questions like "Do you agree that Taiwan should apply to participate in all international sporting events, including the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, using the name 'Taiwan?", "Do you agree to the protection of same-sex marital rights with marriage as defined in the Civil Code?" and "Do you agree to repeal Article 95 paragraph 1 of The Electricity Act: "The nuclear-energy-based power-generating facilities shall wholly stop running by 2025"?".

On the morning of November 24th, I started following the local elections in Taiwan. At the same time, I also tried to feel the political atmosphere inside country. Because of that reason, I talked with some of my Taiwanese friends. Around 7 PM, the election results began to be announced.

Around 8 pm, the results began to be clear and I decided to go to the blue party(KMT)'s rally. The rally area was quite crowded. This is the first time I've seen a crowd in Taiwan. The excitement and joy of people in the rally area was quite interesting. This political atmosphere reminded me Turkey. 

As a result of the elections the Green Party(DPP) lost the local elections. As a result of the defeat, the DPP leader and Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-Wen resigned from party leadership.

However, as I mentioned above, the questions and results of the referendum were the most interesting elements for me. In my opinion, these referandum questions showed me the power of Taiwanese liberal democracy.