1、Order Code RS22791January 22, 2008Taiwans Legislative Elections, January 2008:Implications for U.S. PolicyKerry DumbaughSpecialist in Asian AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryOn January 12, 2008, Taiwans ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party(DPP), suffered a crushing
2、defeat in elections for the Legislative Yuan, the nationallegislature. The DPP won only 27 seats in the new 113-member body, while theopposition Kuomintang Party (KMT) gained a hefty majority with 81 seats. Fiveadditional seats went to independent and smaller party candidates who are expected toside
3、 often with KMT positions. The results appear to be a repudiation of DPP leaderand Taiwan President Chen Shui-bians emphasis of a radical pro-independence agendaat the expense of domestic economic issues. Attention in Taiwan now is on theupcoming presidential contest on March 22, 2008, pitting the l
4、eading DPP candidateFrank Hsieh against the leading KMT candidate Ma Ying-jeou. This report will not be updated.Taiwans January 12, 2008 legislative elections were the first held under newelectoral rules adopted in 2005 under an amendment to the Republic of Chinas(Taiwans) constitution. Under the ol