Taiwan opposition scores win

[Ginchiyo Tachibana]

Asia
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Jan 9, 2010

Taiwan opposition scores win

<!-- by line --> <!-- end by line --> TAIPEI - TAIWAN'S main opposition party scored a fresh election victory in legislative by-elections in three counties, officials said on Saturday. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which favours independence from China, beat the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taoyuan, Taichung and Taitung, said the Central Election Commission. The outcome is critical as the DPP now holds 30 seats, or more than one-fourth of the 106-seat parliament, which will enable it to propose major bills such as recalling the president or amending the constitution, the DPP said. 'The public is dissatisfied with the Ma Ying-jeou administration's poor performances and wishes to teach it a lesson,' DPP spokesman Tsai Chi-chang told AFP. 'The people also want to see a more balanced parliament to check the ruling party' which has the majority with 73 seats, he said. It was the KMT's second election setback in just two months since it took office in May 2008 on a China-friendly platform. The DPP won control of an extra county while the KMT lost two in the December polls to elect county chief and local mayors, which were widely seen as a mid-term test of President Ma Ying-jeou. 'We will reflect on ourselves and remember the lesson .. We will continue to reform the party,' KMT secretary-general King Pu-tsung told reporters. -- AFP

 

[Magoichi Saika]

Ma warned he is facing defeat

Asia
Home > Breaking News > Asia > Story
Jan 10, 2010

Ma warned he is facing defeat

<!-- by line --> <!-- end by line --> TAIPEI - TAIWAN'S press warned beleaguered leader Ma Ying-jeou on Sunday he could face a humiliating defeat in the 2012 presidential election following a series of losses in local polls. Mr Ma's Kuomintang (KMT) party was beaten Saturday by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Saturday in bye-elections in Taoyuan, Taichung and Taitung counties, the Central Election Commission said. The China Times said the results were 'another warning to Mr Ma and his party'. 'If the Ma administration is unable to display its capability of ruling the country and winning back the trust of people... the ruling party could plunge into difficulties in the coming elections and even the 2012 presidential polls,' the Chinese-language newspaper said in an editorial.

The bye-elections were called after two KMT politicians were stripped of their titles over vote-buying as a third KMT lawmaker was elected county chief. The United Daily News said 'the outcome may be another sign of 'domino effect' in the more decisive elections this year", referring to mayoral elections in five areas later this year and the parliamentary polls in 2011. The KMT has lost all but one of a string of elections since Ma swept to power in March 2008 on a platform of boosting trade with giant neighbour China and welcoming more Chinese tourists. His popularity tumbled to around 33 per cent in December, compared with 52 per cent in May last year, according to a survey released by the United Daily News. -- AFP

 

[Robert Half]

DPP is rightful party to rule Taiwan :p

Singapore opposition parties ..please learn from green camp

 

[Shin Orochi]

Asia
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Jan 11, 2010

KMT lawmakers blame Ma

His China-friendly policy failing to deliver benefits to Taiwan's economy, analysts & lawmakers say

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Mr Ma's popularity in opinion polls has plunged to a low of 20-30 per cent from more than 60 per cent at the beginning of his term.

<!-- story content : start --> TAIPEI - LAWMAKERS of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) yesterday blamed the party's second major electoral setback in as many months on President Ma Ying- jeou's failure to jumpstart Taiwan's economy with his policy of pursuing closer ties with China. 'The various China deals the government has signed have not brought Taiwanese people ... any improvement in the economy,' KMT caucus whip Justin Chou said. Fellow lawmaker Lo Shu-lei voiced similar concerns. 'The government fails to eradicate public unease because it is unable to make clear how many jobs will be lost if Taiwan signs (a partial free trade agreement) with China,' she said, referring to the centrepiece of Mr Ma's China engagement programme, the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ecfa). The KMT was defeated by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in three legislative by-elections last Saturday. The results underscore the pro-independence DPP's strong showing in county magistrate elections last month, and signal sagging popular support for the ruling party following growing anxiety over stronger economic ties with Beijing and a string of domestic gaffes. Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

 

[Sideswipe]

One of Ma Ying- Jeou biggest problem is unable to control his lawmakers to follow his policies, not only ECFA. All his legislators are like revolting feudal lords going against the central government.