hello, i hello, lam hello, i am sarah campbell. thank you forjoining me here on bbc news. let's start in taiwan where william lai has won the elections and is set to become taiwan's president. lai is representing the governing dpp — and is set to succeed to the current president tsai ing—wen. lai has been labelled a troublemaker by china, as beijing warned people against voting for him. in his acceptance speech, he said he is "determined to safeguard taiwan from continuing threat and intimidation from china" and will maintain the cross—strait status quo. around 19 million voters were called to elect a new president. my colleague steve lai is in taipei and joins me now. over to you, steve. thanks very much for that. just five

hours after the polls closed, election counting began. we have already had concession and victory speeches, from william lai of the democratic progressive party. what it means that a relationship going forward with china, that is the big question on everybody�*s minds. to help us with some of the answers for that, i'mjoined by help us with some of the answers for that, i'm joined by shelly rigger. she is a professor of asian politics at davidson college. thank you for joining me up here on the rooftop, just get your immediate reaction to the results we have seen, very much in line with poles so perhaps not a big surprise? hat in line with poles so perhaps not a big surprise?— big surprise? not really, no. i think it is— big surprise? not really, no. i think it is good _ big surprise? not really, no. i think it is good that _ big surprise? not really, no. i think it is good that william . big surprise? not really, no. i| think it is good that william lai won with a little bit more than a0%. below 40% would be a pretty slim mandate and even a little above 40% isn't as much as a mandate as we would like. i think it is consistent with expectation and puts him in a reasonably good position and then the other two candidates also kind

of following up pretty much in line with expectations, yeah. you mentioned — with expectations, yeah. you mentioned that _ with expectations, yeah. you mentioned that 4096 - with expectations, yeah. you mentioned that 40% line, that is because there is three candidates in this race and to when the presidency, he only needed to garner the most number of votes.— presidency, he only needed to garner the most number of votes. right, and that means this _ the most number of votes. right, and that means this is _ the most number of votes. right, and that means this is not _ the most number of votes. right, and that means this is not a _ the most number of votes. right, and that means this is not a president - that means this is not a president who can claim a mandate or a majority. he kind ofjust has to say, more people like to me than the other two guys, so... ! we move on from here, this isn't the first time that has happened in taiwan. in 2000, there was also a three—way race and the winner won with 39%. it is not a great start, honestly, tell lai's presidency. is not a great start, honestly, tell lai's presidency-— lai's presidency. going forward then, we have _ lai's presidency. going forward then, we havejust_ lai's presidency. going forward then, we have just heard - lai's presidency. going forward i then, we havejust heard leading into this chat with you, our colleague in london saying that during lai's victory speech, he said he wanted to safeguard their interests. referring to the relationship they have with china.

do you see that as being an ongoing policy from tsai ing—wen, the current president? lai policy from tsai ing-wen, the current president?— policy from tsai ing-wen, the current president? lai has said all alon: that current president? lai has said all along that his _ current president? lai has said all along that his goal— current president? lai has said all along that his goal was _ current president? lai has said all along that his goal was to - current president? lai has said all| along that his goal was to continue the successful policy that tsai ing—wen has pursued of keeping taiwan secure and separate, self—governing, democratic, separate from mainland china. i think it will be tricky for him. it hasn't been easy for tsai ing—wen to maintain a really straightforward and consistent path. but she has laid a good groundwork for him, so he couldn't be in a stronger position, i guess. couldn't be in a stronger position, i cuess. ., ._ couldn't be in a stronger position, i cuess. ., , ., couldn't be in a stronger position, i uess. ., , .,, ., i guess. you say he is in a strong osition i guess. you say he is in a strong position but _ i guess. you say he is in a strong position but given _ i guess. you say he is in a strong position but given the _ i guess. you say he is in a strong position but given the numbers l i guess. you say he is in a strong i position but given the numbers that he garnered, it hasn't been exactly a ringing endorsement. do you think you will also have to take on board the message that these numbers tell him about how strongly supported he

is by taiwanese voters today? the messa . e is by taiwanese voters today? tue: message actually is by taiwanese voters today? tte: message actually of is by taiwanese voters today? "tte: message actually of the is by taiwanese voters today? tte: message actually of the vote effort lai is less about cross strait relations or taiwan's relation with mainland china and more about some of the domestic issues. there was actually pretty much similarity across the campaigns on the questions of taiwan's status in the world under taiwan's relationship with mainland china. nobody is seeking formal unification, nobody is seeking formal independence. all three candidates were really focused on what is the best... they were all claiming to have the best approach to maintaining the current situation in taiwan which is to be separate, democratic, self—governing, but also not challenging the prc in a way that could lead to a potentially even military conflict. where i

think there is a lot more room for improvement for the dpp is on domestic issues. things like housing and wages, especially for young workers. those seem to be the issues that pushed a lot of young voters towards a third candidate name mack who actually did pretty well tonight. he came in with over 20% of the vote in this three—way race, ko wen—ji. even though he doesn't have an established political party behind him. a lot of his positions were kind of vague but there was a strong dissatisfaction with the domestic policy status quo and i think lai will need to work on those issues if he wants another term. this election was almost happening in parallel with another election, the geopolitics on one side of this big discussion and you also have the domestic issues that are also on the

minds of many voters and as you say, thatis minds of many voters and as you say, that is something we will have to pay closer attention to given the success of the rise of the tpp and ko wen—ji. shelly rigger, thank you so much for speaking to me today. professor of asian politics at davidson college. also something to keepin davidson college. also something to keep in mind about how the selection played out, we talked about william lai getting 40% of votes from the selection in the presidential campaign and it not being a majority of more than 50% because there were two parties involved and that is because with the other two parties involved, the opposition of kmt and the tbp, that meant that the vote was split. but there was a moment in time before the election took place leading up to the election, when those two opposition parties were thinking ofjoining forces and their combined total was around 60% which

means that perhaps they could have won if they hadn't fallen apart at the last minute and that is something that jason sue who i spoke to earlier wanted to reiterate. the o- osition to earlier wanted to reiterate. tte: opposition camp split into two parties and the votes combined of those two are over 60% of total votes. you can see that this is a very unfortunate situation. 60% of voters actually wanted a change of government but yet, we now have a rather weakened president and i think it will be important to see how he will deal with a rather divided legislative as well when the dbp is also likely to lose the majority with tbp and kmt —— dpp. combined will hold more seats. we arejoined on we are joined on the roof by a law professor at national taiwan university. michelle, good to have you back on with us. we have had some time to die just what has

happened, william lai has been elected as president with the most votes and he has made his victory speech. what do you make of some of the words he has said about having to safeguard the interests of taiwan? t to safeguard the interests of taiwan? ~ , ., , taiwan? i think it is a very important _ taiwan? i think it is a very important message - taiwan? i think it is a very important message for. taiwan? i think it is a very - important message for taiwan. this is the third term that his party has won back and it has had a platform of maintaining a cautious distance from china, refusing to be economically absorbed by china, emphasising the need to continue the self—governance and the democracy of taiwan. self-governance and the democracy of taiwan. ,, , ., , , ., ~ taiwan. shelley who we were speaking to 'ust now taiwan. shelley who we were speaking to just now was _ taiwan. shelley who we were speaking to just now was saying _ taiwan. shelley who we were speaking to just now was saying how— taiwan. shelley who we were speaking to just now was saying how all- taiwan. shelley who we were speaking to just now was saying how all three i to just now was saying how all three candidates were similar in that they wanted to maintain taiwan's autonomy, wanted it to be self—governing and wanted the status quo of how things are but where they differed was how they wanted to achieve that. could you help us understand a bit about where the three parties differed in how they wanted to approach taiwan's independence or taiwan's self—governing going forward with

regard to china? t self-governing going forward with regard to china?— regard to china? i think shelley is absolutely right _ regard to china? i think shelley is absolutely right that _ regard to china? i think shelley is absolutely right that all _ regard to china? i think shelley is absolutely right that all three - regard to china? i think shelley is| absolutely right that all three want to maintain the status quo. i think a key difference is in terms of how guarded and how cautious it wants to be in its economic ties towards china. both hou yu—ih and ko wen—ji said they would revive the notorious secretive trade pact with china that sparked a revolutionary movement in taiwan where 500,000 people came out in the streets. that was ten years ago. the fact they both said they would revive this trade pact, which would revive this trade pact, which would essentially lead to a lot of conglomerates buying up businesses that are really crucial free speech such as book publishers, book—sellers, media. so, it was disturbing to me that both of the two other parties have a view of economic coercion that is very unguarded. tt economic coercion that is very unguarded-— economic coercion that is very unuuarded. i. ., ., economic coercion that is very unuuarded. ., ., ., unguarded. if you could elaborate a bit more on — unguarded. if you could elaborate a bit more on that _ unguarded. if you could elaborate a bit more on that and _ unguarded. if you could elaborate a bit more on that and help _ unguarded. if you could elaborate a bit more on that and help us - bit more on that and help us understand how china seeks to

influence taiwan through economic policies and through coercion, as you said? policies and through coercion, as ou said? ., , ., ., you said? here i am 'ust quoting a whistle-blower _ you said? here i am 'ust quoting a whistle-blower who _ you said? here i am just quoting a whistle-blower who was _ you said? here i am just quoting a whistle-blower who was secretly l you said? here i am just quoting al whistle-blower who was secretly -- whistle—blower who was secretly —— when the former president was creating this pact in 2013. from the ccp's creating this pact in 2013. from the ccp�*s perspective, it is easier to buy taiwan than to bomb it. filth. ccp's perspective, it is easier to buy taiwan than to bomb it. oh, to conuuer buy taiwan than to bomb it. oh, to conquer its — buy taiwan than to bomb it. oh, to conquer its physically? _ buy taiwan than to bomb it. oh, to conquer its physically? exactly, - buy taiwan than to bomb it. oh, to| conquer its physically? exactly, and how to buy taiwan. _ conquer its physically? exactly, and how to buy taiwan. ? _ conquer its physically? exactly, and how to buy taiwan. ? verschoor- conquer its physically? exactly, and how to buy taiwan. ? verschoor by| how to buy taiwan. ? verschoor by those sorts of businesses that nurture ideas of freedom and libertarian and critics of authoritarian regime. that is one part of this trade pact that the kmt secretly tried to sign with china. why is that important for taiwan to safeguard against that? we have seen evidence today that taiwan is very engaged when it comes to having a

vibrant democracy. t engaged when it comes to having a vibrant democracy.— vibrant democracy. i said this in an earlier interview, _ vibrant democracy. i said this in an earlier interview, i— vibrant democracy. i said this in an earlier interview, i just _ vibrant democracy. i said this in an earlier interview, i just want - vibrant democracy. i said this in an earlier interview, i just want to - earlier interview, i just want to emphasise it. pro—china news outweighs pro—taiwan news by a factor of ten to one. this means that taiwanese media consumption often has pro—china news and there is 5.5 million tiktok users in taiwan and there is a lot of disinformation spread through tiktok about how democracy is a failure. it tries to sow discord within taiwan. maintaining some atmosphere of free ideas and the free exchange of ideas and some sort of trust in democratic institutions is really important to taiwan. i am very critical of the ddp in terms of its ability to protect workers and lower housing prices and protect renters but i do think that it has the right cautiousness towards its relationship with china. michelle,

thanks so much _ relationship with china. michelle, thanks so much for— relationship with china. michelle, thanks so much for your - relationship with china. michelle, thanks so much for your insight i thanks so much for your insight today. law professor at national taiwan university. we have shaimaa khalil standing by with us. she has been covering the ground throughout the day here in taipei from polling stations and most recently at the dpp headquarters where william lai has recently made his victory speech. shaimaa khalil, what can you tell us? ,, , ., ., , ., tell us? steve, you have been asking me now a number _ tell us? steve, you have been asking me now a number of _ tell us? steve, you have been asking me now a number of times _ tell us? steve, you have been asking me now a number of times whether. tell us? steve, you have been asking l me now a number of times whether we can expect that speech, if we can expect william lai to take to the stage, and i think it is quite imminent, actually. he has been giving his first press and now we are expecting him to take the stage. people have been chanting taiwan won! they have been chanting, hello, president. now they are expecting him to take the stage and give his first victory speech as president of taiwan. one of the cheers was actually saying what is the

president's name? let mejust show you... cheering there has been an increased sense of jubilation here. there has been an increased sense of jubilation here-— jubilation here. there has been an increased sense _ jubilation here. there has been an increased sense of— jubilation here. there has been an increased sense ofjubilation - jubilation here. there has been an increased sense ofjubilation here| increased sense ofjubilation here of happiness, excitement... this is the moment the dpp supporters have been waiting for. they have been kept nervous and anxious for a long time with these really close numbers and now they have their victory.

ijust want i just want to point out something really quickly to you. i see a lot of children here, many families have been bringing their children. they wanted them to soak up the atmosphere but now the president elect, the vice president—elect and now former president tsai ing—wen are taking to the stage for that victory speech. right now, the dpp have won the record third term in power.

shaimaa khalil, we will come back to you shortly. i can hear you coughing there, i do hope we can come back to when we can. in the meantime, we will come back to you when we can. thanks very much for that update from the dpp headquartersjust ahead of william lai's victory speech. we will come back on the rooftop in taipei and talk to albert, a taiwanese historian at this moment and thisjuncture, taiwanese historian at this moment and this juncture, tell us about what you are thinking about the developments that william lai has won and becomes a president elect? it is an unprecedented moment in terms of the dpp winning three times in a row and it is an amazing story. in 1986, this is a dissident party that formed and it was always the underdog and now winning powerfor the 12 year, will be 12 years in power, this amazing transition.

also, the historic decline of the kmt, i think. also, the historic decline of the kmt, ithink-— also, the historic decline of the kmt, i think. ~ ., ., ~ , kmt, i think. what do think it tells us about the _ kmt, i think. what do think it tells us about the appetite _ kmt, i think. what do think it tells us about the appetite for - kmt, i think. what do think it tells us about the appetite for dpp's - us about the appetite for dpp's politics? t us about the appetite for dpp's olitics? ~ , ., politics? i think it is tied to the rise of taiwanese _ politics? i think it is tied to the rise of taiwanese as _ politics? i think it is tied to the rise of taiwanese as an - politics? i think it is tied to the | rise of taiwanese as an identity politics? i think it is tied to the - rise of taiwanese as an identity and solidifying as an identity. in the 80s and the 90s, some polls showed that when people were asked what their identity was, they would say either chinese or chinese and taiwanese and now 70% of the population will say taiwanese. it is tied to that massive identity shift. with that identity shift, you see that only strengthening going forward? it is hard to see that that would move back or shift in a backward movement towards china? absolutely and i think if you see the tpp because the tpp has also pretty much moved away from a very chinese identity and you add those numbers together, it does seem to

map onto that shift in terms of taiwanese is an identity. tt map onto that shift in terms of taiwanese is an identity. if that taiwanese is an identity. if that taiwan identity _ taiwanese is an identity. if that taiwan identity is _ taiwanese is an identity. if that taiwan identity is only - taiwanese is an identity. if that taiwan identity is only going . taiwanese is an identity. if that taiwan identity is only going to | taiwanese is an identity. if that . taiwan identity is only going to get stronger going forward, that seems that the only logical conclusion is that the only logical conclusion is that tensions with china are only going to increase? t that tensions with china are only going to increase?— that tensions with china are only going to increase? i think there is a wa in going to increase? i think there is a way in which — going to increase? i think there is a way in which the _ going to increase? i think there is a way in which the taiwanese - going to increase? i think there is a way in which the taiwanese are | a way in which the taiwanese are also trying to define their identity which is not necessarily in opposition to china but that depends on how china reacts. they, in a way, hold a lot of the cards in terms of whether they want to ratchet up tensions with taiwan. shelly rigger said this earlier, i think all three parties are trying to say, well, this taiwanese is also a form of... they are trying to push for the status quo and maintain peaceful relations with china. you status quo and maintain peaceful relations with china.— relations with china. you say the ball is in china's _

relations with china. you say the ball is in china's caught - relations with china. you say the ball is in china's caught with - relations with china. you say the ball is in china's caught with that regard, for all taiwan's good intentions saying they want the status quo, they don't want an escalation. if china sees this as being further pushed back and a further direction of taiwan perhaps towards america and the rest of the world and away from china? absolutely, i think we are waiting to see how china is going to react in the coming days or weeks. i think it is pretty clear that if china continues how it reacted to president tsai ing—wen's administration, they will basically not warm up to more party talks or possible moments of collaboration. while we await china's reaction to the results of taiwan's election, let's get back to shaimaa khalil and see how she is getting on down at the dpp headquarters where it has been an incredibly lively event all evening?

been an incredibly lively event all evenin: ? . v been an incredibly lively event all evenin: ? ., �*, ., , evening? that's right. can i 'ust sa , evening? that's right. can i 'ust say. note — evening? that's right. can i 'ust say. note to fl evening? that's right. can i 'ust say, note to self, i evening? that's right. can i 'ust say, note to self, note i evening? that's right. can i 'ust say, note to self, note to h evening? that's right. can ijust i say, note to self, note to everyone else, don't try to compete with the voice of the crowd because you will never be able to match it and you lose your voice. that's what i did, i took a breath and a sip of water and i am back and it is absolutely electric here, steve, i can tell you. on the screen is now former president tsai ing—wen thanking everyone for showing up but also presenting the president elect william lai. one of the chance here has been welcome president and what is the president's name? william lai. this is a victory. but it hasn't been a landslide and many people here who are celebrating right now were kept on their toes, were very, very nervous because the numbers were very close and then things change very quickly. the dpp now have a record third term in power with william lai as the new president. thejubilation here is happening against a very tense geopolitical backdrop that you have been speaking about with your guests. china is watching this very

closely, we are yet to hear their reaction but what we have been hearing from william lai so far is that very robust stance on the governance of the self ruling ireland on the fact that he is going to do whatever he can to protect taiwan from any intimidation from beijing but also said that if there was an equal footing, if there is dignity maintained for taiwan, he is willing to be in open dialogue. whether or not that'll happen, we don't know. right now, taiwan has its new president and its new vice president and he said that they have to work on the unity of the country, the unity with other parties, and there is a lot of work to do domestically, but also of course as taiwan finds itself at the heart of this tussle between the united states and china for influence in the indo—pacific. this states and china for influence in the indo-pacific._ the indo-pacific. this election takinu the indo-pacific. this election taking place — the indo-pacific. this election taking place almost _ the indo-pacific. this election taking place almost on - the indo-pacific. this election taking place almost on two i the indo-pacific. this election i taking place almost on two different levels, one of the geopolitical levels, one of the geopolitical level where taiwan's relationship with china and its allies of the us

and other countries around the region and also on a very domestic level in the lead up to this campaigning, it was very strange to see a campaign speech that could include both low wages and the fight to push for social mobility and at the same time talk about the need for strengthening defences against its larger neighbour. give us a sense, then, of what you have spoken to people down there because my eye also conscious of these two sides, two narratives?— two narratives? yeah, it's really, really interesting. _ two narratives? yeah, it's really, really interesting. it _ two narratives? yeah, it's really, really interesting. it has - two narratives? yeah, it's really, really interesting. it has been i two narratives? yeah, it's really, really interesting. it has been a l really interesting. it has been a very interesting mix of people's concern. on a domestic level, it is the things that you would expect. people are very worried about the economy, especially young people who haven't been feeling like they were heard by the dpp author kmt. in their eyes, they are, if you will, their eyes, they are, if you will, the establishment parties. but, they said to me that the one thing they are worried about is economy, wages,

employment and it is housing. many first—time voters have actually said that whoever comes into power will have to sort out housing for them. but then you speak to parents, mothers, who brought their children in to soak up the atmosphere and they are saying they are worried about child care subsidies, for example. in the back of everybody�*s mines is that threats from china. that tense cross strait relationship with their huge and powerful neighbour beijing and these constant threats that keep coming. cheering i think this is former president tsai ing—wen are now taking her final bow and saying goodbye, that is the chair you are hearing here right now. many people have said they want these policies to continue but they also want to make sure that those in power protect them, protect theirfamilies those in power protect them, protect their families from whatever aggression that could come from beijing. taste aggression that could come from bei'inu. ~ .., aggression that could come from bei'in~.~ . ., , aggression that could come from

bei'inu. . ., , ., , beijing. we can certainly hear they are ramping _ beijing. we can certainly hear they are ramping up _ beijing. we can certainly hear they are ramping up the _ beijing. we can certainly hear they are ramping up the further, - beijing. we can certainly hear they are ramping up the further, as i beijing. we can certainly hear they| are ramping up the further, as they build up to that moment where william lai will step out and make that victory speech. if we look ahead beyond the speech that is going to be made today, what do you think the focus will be on william lai as the president elect given that he has won back by not perhaps the largest margin because mike is certainly not as large as tsai ing—wen did four years ago? t certainly not as large as tsai ing-wen did four years ago? i think one of the things _ ing-wen did four years ago? i think one of the things you _ ing-wen did four years ago? i think one of the things you heard - ing-wen did four years ago? i think one of the things you heard him i ing-wen did four years ago? i think| one of the things you heard him say is that work on unity, the work on unifying and doing more work on a legislative level. i think the message from the parliamentary elections has been that they are not in with a great margin, that they haven't captured the imagination of many people and i can tell you from the young voters i have been speaking to, that is the case. i think one of the big focus is, i think, is how do you deliver? how do you deliver on the economy? how do you deliver on the economy? how do you deliver, for example, on expanding the semiconductor industry? tie one being the bedrock

of that. but also, how do you deliver the message that you are robust on security, on the self—governing stance. —— taiwan. many people that i've talked to here, also supporters, people very happy to see him take to stages president, said they have promised, made all of those promises, now it is time to deliver. ijust want made all of those promises, now it is time to deliver. i just want to take you to the screen now. he is making his first speech, william lai, victory speech as president of taiwan. he is waving at the crowd, waving at his supporters, there is a great deal ofjubilation here but you can bet your bottom dollar that all of this is being watched very closely in beijing as well.— this is being watched very closely in beijing as well. in bei'ing as well. thanks very much for in beijing as well. thanks very much for that, shaimaa _ in beijing as well. thanks very much for that, shaimaa khalil, _ in beijing as well. thanks very much for that, shaimaa khalil, we - in beijing as well. thanks very much for that, shaimaa khalil, we are i for that, shaimaa khalil, we are watching closely and there will be highlights of his speech on our

later bulletins on bbc news. in the meantime, back to london. thank you, steve, thank you shaimaa khalil. jubilant scenes there in taiwan is the dpp's william lai set to be taiwan's next president gets ready to make his victory speech and as steve said there, he will bring you all the highlights later on in the programme. do stay with us here on bbc news. hello, there. most of us have seen plenty of this today, a lot of cloud around, but it is predominantly dry. the weather story, though, is on the change from tomorrow and into next week. it's going to turn noticeably colder with a risk of snow, even at lower levels in the north. and, yes, we will see some severe night—time frost. for the here and now, though, for the start of this weekend, we've got this cold front sinking its way steadily southwards. the real cold air not quite arriving yet, but it means some brighter skies behind that cold front, a scattering of showers to the north west of the great glen and some sunshine to the east

of the pennines. our weather front moving out of northern ireland into central and southern england. here we will continue to see a fair amount of cloud through the day, but it will stay relatively warmer than it has been. we're looking at highs of around 4 to 8 degrees. as we move through the night, that blanket of cloud will continue to linger across england and wales. so that will prevent temperatures from falling too far. some clearer skies further north, the breeze picking up and changing more to a northerly. so some of those showers in the far north of scotland will be of snow. here it will be a chilly start to sunday morning. so, the cold air starting to push into scotland. some of those showers at lower levels now starting to turn to snow. there will be some sunshine across the scottish borders into the north of england, along with northern ireland. few scattered showers from that weak weather front sinking south across england and wales. here we keep temperatures 5 to 7 degrees, but a colder story starting to develop into scotland. that cold air will continue to dominate into monday.

further snow into scotland, wintry showers into northern ireland, dry but cold elsewhere, predominantly sunny. however, as we move out of monday into tuesday, this little weather front could enhance the risk of snow into northern ireland and potentially northern england. so, anywhere north of this could see further snow and we'll start to see accumulations gathering. some disruption is likely. to the south of that, it still stays cold, but it should be quite sunny with it. so temperatures here around three or four degrees, but struggling in scotland — below freezing in rural parts. then there were some thoughts that this area of low pressure could bring some snow for a time across southern england. but, at the moment, computer models want to take it over to france. so here it looks slightly quieter.

this is bbc news, the headlines... taiwan ruling party's william lai wins the presidential election after the main opposition party conceded defeat. the us military says they have carried out a fresh new strike on a houthi target in yemen, a day after dozens of similar us—british airstrikes across the country. houthis say the us strikes had no significant impact on their ability to continue attacks on vessels in the red sea.

and in the uk, the minister responsible for the post office has called for jail time for those responsible for an it scandal in which hundreds of workers were falsely accused of theft. now on bbc news, the travel show. europe by train — for generations of backpackers interrailers, as well as for me, it is what travel is all about. and in germany, the railways are booming, partly because of this. it's called the deutschlandticket. it costs me 40 euros a month, and it allows me almost unlimited use of the country's regional public transport network. it was a cost—of—living measure introduced in 2023,