Saturday, November 27, 2010

Local Races Set Stage for Taiwan Presidential Election

TAIPEI, Taiwan-Taiwan's Ruling Kuomintang Won Three out of five Mayoral seats on Saturday in the tightly contested local Elections That Have Been Closely Watched as a gauge of support for the historic steps taken by the party Thurs warm Political and Economic Relations with China. 

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party had occurred polled well in northern Taiwan, historically a KMT stronghold, ahead of the Elections, But experts said an Assassination Attempt is a former Vice President Lien Chan's son, Sean Lien, at a pre-election rally mobilized supporters of the Ruling party. Turnout was 70% across Taiwan. 

"Originally the KMT was struggling Thurs mobilize ITS base, But the shooting Friday Drove Some Of Those disappointed and apathetic Voters to the polls out of anger," said Wang Yeh-LIH, Chairman of the National Taiwan University Department of Political Science. 

Although the Elections Have Been marked by "Debate about local issues Such as transportation, governance and Income disparity, experts said the KMT's Victories-in key urban constituencies representing 60% of Taiwan's populace-signal support for the ITS pro-China economic policies, Which have helped Taiwan's economy stage a speedy recovery from the Global Economic down turn. 

But the DPP Staged a strong recovery after Receiving a drubbing in the 2008 Presidential and Legislative Elections amid widespread corruption charges. Saturday's results show it Continues Thurs gain momentum as it garnered around 3.8 Million total votes, more than just the KMT's 3.4 Million votes, and mounted a strong challenge Thurs KMT Candidates in key BASES support in central and northern Taiwan. 

"The Outcome of the Elections is a warning sign for the KMT. In the next year or so, the KMT will have To Make Efforts Thurs Boost Economic Growth and Improve Cross-Strait Relations Thurs ENHANCE people's confidence [of the Ruling Party]," said Standard Chartered economist Tony Phoo. 

"The DPP successfully regained Voters' support over the last two years. This will absolutely constitute a challenge for the KMT in the presidential election in 2012." 

The election results were largely in keeping with traditional Political Divides in the island, with KMT Candidates winning in the central and northern cities of Taipei City and Taichung Xinbei while the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's Candidates Won in the southern cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung. Mayoral incumbent Taipei Hau Lung-bin won in Taipei and Eric Chu beat out the DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen in Xinbei City. 

The results "show the Ma Administration Will Be More Confident ITS is a cross-Strait Policies Going Forward, But Not Necessarily it does mean it will take more aggressive Approach, as Ma Will Need To Be Careful ahead of the presidential election in 2012," said Mr. Wang of National Taiwan University. 

In 2004, Taiwan's Elections were marred by Also an Assassination Attempt "when then incumbent Presidential Candidate Chen Shui-bian was shot the day before polling. Mr. Chen narrowly won re-election the next day and experts said the shooting had occurred helped him gain more votes. 

National Taiwan University Hospital Reported Mr. Lien remained conscious after the shooting and they is in stable condition after a four-hour surgery. The motive for the shooting remained unclear. 

Investors have also Life Closely Watched the Elections Thurs judge support for Closer Economic and bridges are likely To Be cheered by the results. Taiwan's stock market has Risen Nearly 12% since a landmark trade deal That reduces Tariffs and Trade Barriers, and liberalizes the cross-Strait Investment Rules was Signed in June. The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement has also Life Tensions eased in what has long Been one of the world's most dangerous flash points. 

The pact is EE Thurs bring huge long-term Gains Thurs Taiwan by opening up opportunities was in the world's second-largest economy and Bringing more Chinese investment to the island. But the deal is also Life Bringing Increased competition Thurs bear the local industries, Causing Pain In Some Sectors. 

Although Taiwan politics are notoriously mercurial, experts said the tangible Effects of ECFA and how well the KMT publicizes Those results will be a key issue in the 2012 Elections. Losing DPP Mayoral Candidates Su Tseng-chang and Tsai Ing-wen Have Been widely tipped as the most likely Thurs Candidates Represent That the DPP in the election. 

China and Taiwan separated in 1949 "when the KMT fled to the island after losing a civil war Thurs Mao Zedong's Communists. Beijing Officially Claims sovereignty over Taiwan, although the self-governing island has a de facto Independence.

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