Despite sweeping economic reforms during the past years, the
hulking Kuomintang (KMT) has continued to rule Taiwan. Though many
Taiwanese have supoported the social reforms proposed by the
opposition Democratic Progressive party, they have not been willing
to trust the DPP to govern. It might be bad for business, and the
party's independence would upset China.
Things may be changing. In elections for county chiefs on November
29th, the DPP won 12 seats to the KMT's eight (three went to
independents). This is the first time the DPP has received more
seats that the KMT in countrywide elections, and the first time it
has received more votes. With an election for Taiwan's parliament 12
months away, the DPP hopes it will become the government. The
president, who chooses the prime minister, would still be Lee
Teng-hui of the KMT, but an attempt by the KMT to cling to power
would be unlikely.
The full text can be read at The Economist's website at:
http://www.economist.com
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