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Party Politics after the 2008 Legislative Election 99
A decrease in confidence in the Kuomintang and
an increase in confidence in the Democratic Progressive
Party occurred in June, July, September and October.
The reverse was seen in August and November. The
decrease in confidence in the Kuomintang and the concomitant
increase in confidence in the opposition party
resulted from roaring commodity prices rises, failure to
control the entero virus epidemic, Cabinet appointments,
and confirmation of nominees for the Control
Yuan and the Examination Yuan, and the toxic milk
powder scare on the one hand and Tsai Ing-wen’s election
as Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman on
the other.
Factors contributing to the increase in confidence
in the Kuomintang and the decrease in confidence in
the opposition included the scandals involving President
Chen Shui-bian and his family, Ma’s promise of
leadership, and Premier Liu’s frequent appearances in
public. The successful meeting in Taipei between Chen
Yunlin and P. K. Chiang, chairman of the Straits Exchange
Foundation, increased public confidence in the
Kuomintang in November. Aside from the violent rallies
while Chen Yunlin was in Taipei, the detention of
President Chen, Chiayi magistrate Chen Ming-wen and
Yunlin magistrate Su Chih-fen made the public lose
confidence in the Democratic Progressive Party. Both
Chen Ming-wen and Su were arrested on corruption
charges and held incommunicado at detention centers
for more than a month. So was President Chen.
Conclusion
efforts to lead Taiwan out of the economic recession.
The Kuomintang has failed to take advantage of its
being a predominant party after the January elections.
Despite holding less than a quarter of the 113 seats
in parliament, the opposition Democratic Progressive
Party managed to create controversial issues to provide
checks and balances as a minority. It also adopted a
new political line to keep its power base. It encourages
supporters to take to the streets. Tsai Ing-wen, elected
chairwoman, was able to boost the party’s image, which,
however, was again tarnished by President Chen
Shui-bian’s trial for money laundry, corruption and
graft.
The public was dissatisfied with the ruling and
opposition parties. Most people showed lower confidence
in the Democratic Progressive Party than in the
Kuomintang. The ruling party was blamed for poor
crisis management and frequent gaffes of its leaders,
from President Ma on down. The opposition was criticized
for corruption and graft, violent mass movements,
and in-fighting between its pro- and anti-Chen blocs.
If neither party can solve its problems, middle-of-the
road voters may be so disenchanted as to
refuse to go to the polls in future elections. The results
of elections may be determined by their respective core
supporters. Voters are expected to elect 21 mayors and
county magistrates across the country toward the end of
2009. Both parties have to do what they can to win over
as many sway voters as possible to ensure victory.
The new election system contributed to the Kuomintang’s
landslide victory in the legislative election on
January 12. It controls a virtual three-fourths majority
in the Legislative Yuan. Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang
was elected president on March 22. The voters
expected the majority government of the Kuomintang
to get the Taiwan economy growing apace. They were
let down. President Ma does not enjoy a smooth ruling
partnership with the Kuomintang and the Legislative
Yuan it controls. Furthermore, the global economic
crisis and domestic disputes frustrated the government