Opposition Gains Ground in Taiwans Local Election

Taiwans ruling Nationalist Party—or the KMT—lost a magistrate job in Yilan County at Saturdays local elections. The seat was picked up by the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party—or DPP—which supports Taiwans formal independence from the Chinese regime.

The KMT did keep its large lead in the election as expected. It held the DPP to four of the 17 cities and counties that voted. But, President Ma, also the KMT chief, said election results were not ideal.

[Ma Ying-jeou, President of Taiwan]:
The election result was not ideal for our party, in terms of the number of seats and the winning percentage. But in with a sagging economy and a high jobless rate, our voters still gave our party the opportunity to rule in twelve cities and counties, they are very tolerant to us."

DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen pointed out that Mas move towards friendly ties with the Chinese regime was the major source of uneasiness among voters.

[Tsai Ing-wen, Chairwoman of DPP]:
"This election result, for Kuomintang, if its seen as a failure in everyone's eyes, then they must review from two aspects: one is the direction of their policies, and the other is how effective his government is. There is a great distance between their policy and people's feelings."

The Chinese regime has claimed sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan since 1949, after the KMT lost a civil war to communist forces and fled to Taiwan. The Chinese Communist Party has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.

Since regaining office in May 2008, the KMT opened Taiwan to Chinese investment and brokering negotiations on landmark trade deals. Some fear it threatens Taiwans sovereignty, making it too dependent on the Chinese regime.

Elections in Taiwan's bigger cities and counties are set for next year and the next presidential race is in 2012.

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