Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of Foxconn, has announced his candidacy for the presidency of Taiwan as an independent contender in the upcoming January 2024 elections, source.
Gou, the wealthiest individual in the self-governed democracy, has previously sought political roles within the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party but without success.
He is required to gather 290,000 signatures by November 2 to qualify as an independent candidate.
Addressing the press, Gou criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for potentially leading Taiwan toward conflict and asserted his commitment to maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait, source.
He pledged to establish a foundation of mutual trust and peace over the next four years.
The frontrunner for the presidency is currently Vice President Lai Ching-te of the DPP, while Gou’s campaign aims to offer an alternative to voters dissatisfied with the leading party’s policies.
Amid increasing efforts by Beijing to diplomatically isolate Taiwan and assert its claim over the island, Gou’s entry into the election adds a new dimension to the country’s political landscape, the source said.
Gou’s promises of peace and stability appeal to voters concerned about growing tensions in the region.
