Election Date: March 22, 2008

Abstract: At stake: President

At stake: President

Background

In 1895, following a military defeat, China ceded Taiwan to Japan. At the end of World War II, the island was returned to Chinese control.  In 1949, as Mao Zedong’s communists were gaining prominence in Mainland China, Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek established the Republic of China in Taiwan. Chiang acted as president from 1950 to 1975, maintaining hopes of ruling Mainland China once again.

To this date, Mainland China considers the island a "renegade province" and reserves the right to bring it under control. Taiwan has no seat in the United Nations (UN), and has established diplomatic relations with only 27 countries.

A series of democratic reforms implemented by Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui in the early 1990s allowed Taiwan's residents to take part in free and fair elections. In 2000, Chen Shui-bian—leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and former mayor of Taipei—won the presidential election.

In March 2004, Chen earned a second presidential term—defeating Lien Chan of the Kuomintang Nationalist Party (KMT)—in an election marred by controversy after an apparent assassination attempt. In December, the opposition Pan-Blue Alliance—encompassing the KMT, the People First Party (CMT) and the New Party (HT)—took control of 114 of the 225 seats in the Legislative Yuan.

Click Here for Taiwan's 2004 Presidential and Legislative Election Tracker

In March 2005, China-Taiwan relations suffered further strains when legislators in China's National People's Congress passed the anti-secession law, which aims to prevent Taiwan's independence. The legislation calls for the use of "non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Chen called the bill a "law of aggression." Hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese staged street demonstrations to protest the bill.

In April, KMT leader Lien met with Chinese president Hu Jintao on a trip he called a "journey of peace" that was criticized by Chen. In May, Hu met with CMT leader James Soong. In a joint press release intended to restart negotiations between Taiwan and China, they both agreed to a principle of "two sides of the strait, one China."

In 2006, Chen and his family were investigated on allegations of corruption. In November, prosecutors indicted Wu Shu-chen, Chen's wife, for allegedly spending about $450,000 U.S. in public funds on personal expenditures. Authorities also said that the president had submitted fake receipts when drawing from the same fund and lied about how he spent the money.

In May 2007, Taiwanese premier Su Tseng-chang resigned. Chen appointed one of the founders of the DPP, Chang Chun-hsiung, as his successor.

2008 Legislative and Presidential Elections

In June 2007, Kuomintang Party (KMT) member Ma Ying-jeou emerged as the early frontrunner in the race for Taiwan's presidency. Frank Hsieh is the candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

On Jun. 25, Ma vowed to "rescue" Taiwan's economy if elected to the presidency and complained about the DDP government's policies, declaring, "Today don't talk to me about unification or independence, those are not real issues, don't talk me about that. That has nothing to do with the livelihood of the people. We just need to focus on the economy. We gave you seven-eight years. If you can't do it, then let someone else take over. It's just that simple."

On Jun. 29, Taiwan's Referendum Review Committee rejected a request by the ruling DPP to hold a plebiscite on whether the island should join the United Nations (UN) under the name of Taiwan, separately from China. Kao Yung-kuang, chairman of the committee, explained the decision, saying, "We don't understand the purpose of holding such a referendum as it is already a set policy by the government to push for joining the United Nations in the name of Taiwan."

In mid-July, Hsieh said his stance on independence would be softer than Chen's if elected, declaring that Taiwan's next leader should concentrate on a near-term agenda rather than what he called a "final goal". Hsieh explained his views, saying, "One should clearly distinguish between an election platform with campaign issues, a government agenda for a four-year presidential term and a final goal. These things have been mixed up with each other. I would not do that. I would not take the final goal and make it an election issue all the time."

On Jul. 23, a spokesperson for UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said the UN Office of Legal Affairs had rejected an application for UN membership submitted by Chen. The spokesperson said the decision was made in keeping with resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly, which determined that the UN abides by the one-China policy. China is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

On Jul. 24, the Chinese government branded Chen a "schemer" for his attempt to push Taiwan into the UN, saying that "Taiwan independence" activities are "doomed to fail." The official statement added that the rejection proved "the international community recognizes that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China. (...) The secessionist move of applying for UN membership under the name of Taiwan will not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, nor will it change Taiwan's international status."

In June, Ma—who served as Taipei's mayor from December 1998 to December 2006—announced that Vincent Siew, a former premier and former KMT vice-chairman, would be his running mate.

On Aug. 15, Hsieh—who served as Taiwan's premier from February 2005 to January 2006—revealed that Su Tseng-chang would be his vice-presidential candidate, saying, "Former premier Su told me that he was willing to respond to the public's expectations and shoulder the historical responsibility of being my running mate."

Rising inflation prompted a series of street protests against the government in November. On Nov. 17, Taiwanese president Chen snapped at farmers complaining about high food prices and told them they should move to Mainland China if they are so dissatisfied with Taiwan’s economy, adding, “You could swim over there, and don’t come back after you do.” On that same say, KMT lawmaker Wang Jin-pyng criticized the government’s economic policies, saying, “Our rulers should have more empathy toward the poor.”

On Dec. 16, Ma called on voters to support the KMT, saying, “If you chose the wrong person, you would punish yourself again. The economy is so sluggish that we can’t feel more sorry for local citizens. (...) The DPP was not prepared to become the ruling party and lacked experience. Nowadays, thieves will snatch anything they can in the countryside, such as electric wires or irrigation material.”

On Dec. 17 in Japan, Hsieh discussed the upcoming ballot, saying, “The next Taiwan presidential election will ask the people to choose their national identity, whether they pick the Taiwanese identity or the Chinese identity. Some people try to think of Taiwan and Hong Kong in the same way and say the economic development is more important than people’s identity and security, but it is the wrong idea. Unless many people recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty as an independent state, its security would not be protected, and Taiwan would not be able to survive.”

In 2007, Ma was accused of mishandling $330,000 U.S. in expense funds when he served as mayor of Taipei. On Dec. 27, Ma was acquitted by the High Court, and cleared of the charges of fraud and breach of trust. Following the verdict, Ma declared: “The acquittal has just marked the beginning, the beginning of a more hazardous road.”

Legislative voting took place on Jan. 12, 2008. Final results gave the KMT and its partners 85 seats, with the DPP and its partners securing 27 mandates.

KMT chairman Wu Po-hsiung declared: “The KMT will not abuse its power of majority. Instead, the KMT will use it on stabilizing the society, uniting the nation and restoring the image the parliament should have.” Taiwanese president Chen tendered his resignation as DPP leader, saying, “This is the biggest failure since the founding of the DPP and, as chairman, I should take responsibility.”

Just after the legislative ballot results were made public, Ma declared: “This is the beginning of our responsibility. We must use this victory as the biggest tool to help win the presidential election.”

On Feb. 18, Hsieh said he would break away from Chen’s pro-independence policies if elected, saying, “I will invite [Chinese president] Hu Jintao to visit Taiwan, Kinmen, if I’m elected. (...) I would like to negotiate with Hu on common economic development. I would like to put controversies aside.”

On Feb. 24, Ma and Hsieh faced off in a televised debate. Ma stated that Taiwan and China need to abandon their struggle for support around the world, saying, “The two sides should stop fighting diplomatically, and should not lure each other’s allies away. They have no reason to keep suppressing us.”

Hsieh chastised Ma for failing to keep his promise to complete the Neihu Line of the mass rapid transport system in Taipei, and clean the water of the Tamshui River. Hsieh also questioned Ma’s allegiance to Taiwan due to the fact that he once held a permanent resident certificate issued by the U.S. government, adding, “Actions rather than words should be used to show if one loves Taiwan.” The KMT candidate said he is “100 per cent a Taiwanese and also a citizen of the Republic of China.”

In early March, former Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui discussed the election, calling it “thought-provoking” and claiming that Taiwan’s democracy “would be set back 20 years” if DPP candidate Hsieh loses.

On Mar. 4, Chinese president Hu Jintao offered to stage peace talks with Taiwan, saying, “Status in negotiations would be equal and the topics would be open, any issue can be discussed.” However, Hu said Taiwan must first acknowledge the “one China” policy, which has been rejected repeatedly by the Taiwanese government as an unfair precondition.

On Mar. 7, the Hsieh campaign distanced itself from a smear campaign against Ma, in the form of an attack DVD. Hsieh campaign spokesman Tuan Yi-kuan declared: “Even if you already had a copy of the magazine (Taiwan Weekly) or the DVD, don’t take a look at them.” Hsieh stated: “It is the opponent that wants to divert the focus. It is clear who is benefiting from the matter and who is being let off the hook.”

Chang Mo-shan, the publisher of Taiwan Weekly, maintains that she did not slander Ma’s wife Christine Ma. The publication claimed that Mrs. Ma stole newspapers from the Harvard-Yenching Library in Massachusetts.

Also on Mar. 7, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement, regretting criticism from the European Union (EU) to its decision to hold a referendum on United Nations (UN) membership on the same day of the presidential election. The statement read: “We regret that the EU has for several times voiced its concerns on our UN referendum under pressure from China but tolerates China’s ruthless moves to block Taiwan in the international community.”

Also on Mar. 7, Ma’s campaign announced the distribution of 10 million disposable tissue packets. Lai Su-ju, head of the KMT information department, explained the rationale, saying, “Ordering these Kleenex packets costs a lot of money, but it is worthwhile. Our campaign workers will go to all those places where there is a crowd to distribute them, so that we can spread our political messages to every one.”

On Mar. 9, Ma and Hsieh faced off in the second televised debate. Hsieh described Ma’s common market proposal as a “sugar-coated poison that would result in Taiwan being annexed by its rival China in the end,” adding, “(It) is detrimental to our small and medium scale firms, our farmers and workers, but he insists it will improve our economy. Has he ever told our voters its serious damage to Taiwan?” Hsieh claimed that, under Ma’s economic policy, unemployed Chinese people would seize all jobs in Taiwan and even local prostitutes would be outnumbered.

Ma said Hsieh “exaggerated” the negative impact of the common market, arguing that the European Union (EU) has never seen a country annexed by another. The KMT contender said his plan would restrict both workers and farm products from China.

In March, Ma apologized for the actions of KMT lawmakers that resulted in the resignation of Taiwanese finance minister Ho Chih-chin. KMT lawmakers urged Ho to go personally to the DPP’s campaign headquarters to investigate allegations that the party was getting free rent from First Commercial Bank, which is  partly owned by the DPP. As Ho visited the building on Mar. 12, DPP and KMT supporters clashed outside.

On Mar. 13, Ho—who was appointed by Chen in June 2007 but does not belong to any political party—tendered his resignation, saying, “Some lawmakers insisted I go to investigate. (...) As a result the situation caused social unrest for which I am regretful and so this morning I resign.”

For his part, the DPP’s Hsieh expressed concern over the episode, saying, “Just because the KMT has the majority in the legislature does not mean they can act with such arrogance, incivility and disregard for the law. (...) We are deeply worried about the KMT’s one-party domination.”

Ma apologized for the incident, saying that the investigation “could have been done differently.”

Polls released in March by TVBS and United Daily News showed a surge in support for Hsieh, with Ma still ahead.

On Mar. 14, Chen referred to Taiwan’s status, saying, “Some people may say the window of opportunity for Taiwan independence has already closed. But I agree even more with the view that the opportunity of Taiwan and the Chinese mainland merging, unifying, is becoming ever more remote.”

Voting took place on Mar. 22. Final results published by the Central Election Commission gave Ma 58.45 per cent of the vote, with Hsieh finishing second with 41.55 per cent. The winning margin was the widest in Taiwanese electoral history. Turnout was tabled at 76 percent.

In his victory speech, Ma declared: “The people of Taiwan hope for clean government, with no corruption. Taiwan people hope for a flourishing economy. The people of Taiwan hope for peace across the Strait, they don’t want war.”

Hsieh conceded, saying, “I am deeply sorry. This is my personal defeat, not Taiwan’s defeat, so don’t be sad. Although we lost the election, we have a more important mission. The torch of democracy should not be extinguished.”

The DPP’s proposed referendum on UN membership under the name of “Taiwan” failed to pass, since only 35.8 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot—less than the 50 per cent required to validate it. The government of the People’s Republic of China issued a statement, which read: “The referendum did not pass. The referendum result expresses that ‘Taiwan independence’ has failed to win people’s hearts.”

On May 20, Ma was sworn in as president. The Taiwanese cabinet features Liu Chao-shiuan as prime minister, Francisco Ou as foreign minister, Chen Chao-min as defence minister, Liao Liao-yi as interior minister, and Lee Sush-der as finance minister.

Political Players

President: Ma Ying-jeou - KMT
Vice-president: Vincent Siew - KMT
Prime minister: Liu Chao-shiuan - KMT

The president is elected to a four-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Li fa Yuan (Legislative Yuan) has 225 members; 168 members are elected to three-year terms in multi-seat constituencies, 41 members are elected by proportional representation, eight members represent aboriginals and eight members represent overseas citizens. If required, the Kuo-Min Ta-Hui (National Assembly) is elected by proportional representation to oversee constitutional matters.

Results of Last Election:

President - Mar. 22, 2008

	Vote%
Ma Ying-jeou - Kuomintang Party (KMT)	58.45%
Frank Hsieh - Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)	41.55%

Legislative Yuan - Jan. 12, 2008

	Const. Vote%	Const. Seats	List Vote%	List Seats	Total Seats
Pan-Blue Coalition Kuomintang Nationalist Party (KMT) People First Party (CMT) New Party (HT) Non-Partisan Solidarity Union (NPSU)	56.2%	65	52.4%	20	85
Pan-Green Coalition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Taiwan Constitution Association (TCA)	39.1%	13	40.7%	14	27
Green Party Taiwan	0.1%	--	0.6%	--	--
Taiwan Farmers’ Party	0.0%	--	0.6%	--	--
Civil Party	0.0%	--	0.5%	--	--
Third Society Party	0.1%	--	0.5 %	--	--
Hakka Party	0.0%	--	0.4%	--	--
Non-partisans	4.0%	1	--	--	1

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