Taiwan Elections 2014: KMT defeated with pro-China policies

[Darthrevan]

Newly elected independent Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (centre) joining hands with his relatives after winning the Taipei Mayoral elections in Taipei on Nov 29, 2014. Taiwan's premier resigned after his Beijing-friendly ruling party suffered a landslide defeat at the island's biggest-ever local elections.

Historic defeat for ruling KMT in Taiwan local polls leads to Premier's resignation

In a stunning indictment of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party, Taiwanese voters sent its candidates packing in elections, handing five of six key cities, including the capital of Taipei, to its rivals.

It is a historic defeat for the mainland-friendly KMT, and on Saturday night, Premier Jiang Yi-huah resigned to accept responsibility. Also taking the fall was KMT secretary-general Tseng Yung-chuan.

Despite calls from some quarters for him to step down as party chairman as well, a grim-faced President Ma Ying-jeou made no mention of this possibility. Instead, he said at a press conference - where he bowed once in apology to supporters - that he had "heard the message from voters" and that he will be embarking on "reforms". He did not specify what these would be.

In the course of a day, when 13 million people, about 70 per cent of registered voters, went to the polls, the map of Taiwan turned overwhelming green - the colour of the pro-independence coalition.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/east-asia/story/historic-defeat-ruling-kmt-taiwan-local-polls-leads-premiers-resignation-2

Edited November 30, 2014 by Darthrevan

[Darthrevan]

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou (right) bows during a news conference with party officials after the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party was defeated in local elections in Taipei on Nov 29, 2014. Mr Ma is expected to step down from his post as KMT chairman to take responsibility for the losses.

 

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou expected to step down as Kuomintang chairman on Dec 3

Taiwan's deeply-unpopular President Ma Ying-jeou is expected to step down as chairman of his ruling Kuomintang on Dec 3 to take responsibility for the party's rout by the opposition in Saturday's local elections, Taiwan media reported on Sunday.

"Ma Ying-jeou will not cling on to power; he will definitely shoulder the responsibility (of the defeat)," KMT spokesman Chen Yi-hsin told the semi-official Central News Agency (CNA) on Sunday. He added that Mr Ma would make a "major announcement" at the meeting of the party's central standing committee on Wednesday (Dec 3).

News of Ma's impending resignation as KMT chief was also reported by the mass-circulation United Daily News.

The development came as Hau Lung-pin, the incumbent mayor of Taipei, emerged as the latest casualty of the fiasco. Hau has resigned his post as one of KMT's vice-chairmen, Taipei municipal government spokesman Chang Chi-chiang said on Sunday according to CNA.

KMT lost in five out of six municipalities on Saturday, losing even its long-time stronghold Taipei and the strategic central city of Taichung. Overall, the ruling party won only six out of 22 municipalities and counties, while the opposition Democratic Progressive Party scored huge gains to bag 13 seats. The remaining three went to independents.

Premier Jiang Yi-huah resigned shortly after results were announced on Saturday, saying that the outcome showed his administration had not won the approval of the people. The Cabinet is expectedly to be completely reshuffled, with Vice-Premier Mao Chi-kuo expected to take the place of his departed boss, UDN reported.

Ma, in accepting defeat as KMT chairman on Saturday night, said he "had heard the people's message", but did not indicate that he would be stepping down as the party chief.

The 64-year-old has led KMT since 2009. He has two more years to go in his second four-year term as President, during which he presided over rapidly-warming ties with China but has also failed to lift Taiwan's economy out of a years-long malaise nor boost stagnant wages.

His approval ratings remain below 20 per cent, falling at one point to below 10 per cent.

If Ma quits as KMT chief, his deputy Wu Den-yih will serve as acting chairman according to the party's rules. An election among party delegates will then be held within three months to pick the new chairman.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/east-asia/story/taiwan-president-ma-ying-jeou-expected-step-down-kuomintang-chairman-dec

[Shull]

After seeing how the HK-ers got pwned by China in the one-country-two-system policies, I'm not surprised of the results.

[Thaiyotakamli]

But the taipei mayor neither belong to kmt or the rival. He remain neutral

 

 

On recent news, Ma is forced to resign as KMT head

[Vega]

But the taipei mayor neither belong to kmt or the rival. He remain neutral

 

 

On recent news, Ma is forced to resign as KMT head

He supporting green side which is DPP. he is a hardcore Ah Bian fan thou he come into this election as an independent party.

[Thaiyotakamli]

He supporting green side which is DPP. he is a hardcore Ah Bian fan thou he come into this election as an independent party.

But he not good term with cai ying wen though

 

So now still considered neutral

[Vega]

But he not good term with cai ying wen though

 

So now still considered neutral

he cannot perceive as close to CYW as one of his messages he is bringing across to TP people is to stop the fight b/w green and blue camps. if he close to CYW, he will be perceived from the green camp instead.

 

one thing he said during his election is to get Ah Bian out of the prison as he believe AB's incarceration is politically motivated. lets wait and see.

[Thaiyotakamli]

he cannot perceive as close to CYW as one of his messages he is bringing across to TP people is to stop the fight b/w green and blue camps. if he close to CYW, he will be perceived from the green camp instead.

 

one thing he said during his election is to get Ah Bian out of the prison as he believe AB's incarceration is politically motivated. lets wait and see.

Thats my main worry of him, getting ah bian out, whixh will cause more political unrest in taiwan.

 

Hopefully he said that to gain support from the green

[Mockngbrd]

Haha f**k China

[Vega]

Thats my main worry of him, getting ah bian out, whixh will cause more political unrest in taiwan.

 

Hopefully he said that to gain support from the green

wasted. Sean Lien didn't get elected. else get to see more of his beautiful wife.

[Lala81]

Ah Bian's DPP did preside over the changeover of Taiwan from an Asian tiger to an Asian weakling.

Ah Bian is also one of the most laughable presidents I've seen.

 

I really never understood why Lien Chan lost to him. Worse than Al gore losing to George Bush. At least George Bush can be charming.

 

If DPP takes over, i will probably bet against the taiwan stock exchange index...

Edited November 30, 2014 by Lala81

[Thaiyotakamli]

wasted. Sean Lien didn't get elected. else get to see more of his beautiful wife.

Yes his wife can look much better than most of taiwanese drama actress lol

Ah Bian's DPP did preside over the changeover of Taiwan from an Asian tiger to an Asian weakling.

Ah Bian is also one of the most laughable presidents I've seen.

 

I really never understood why Lien Chan lost to him. Worse than Al gore losing to George Bush. At least George Bush can be charming.

 

If DPP takes over, i will probably bet against the taiwan stock exchange index...

Lien lose cos of people distrust toward Ma and the KMT.

 

Moreover Lien too young to be a mayor.

[Vega]

Ah Bian's DPP did preside over the changeover of Taiwan from an Asian tiger to an Asian weakling.

Ah Bian is also one of the most laughable presidents I've seen.

 

I really never understood why Lien Chan lost to him. Worse than Al gore losing to George Bush. At least George Bush can be charming.

 

If DPP takes over, i will probably bet against the taiwan stock exchange index...

that shooting incident did help Ah Bian a lot.

China was on red alert went Ah Bian became president......

[Vega]

 

Lien lose cos of people distrust toward Ma and the KMT.

 

Moreover Lien too young to be a mayor.

 

too many issues happened to TW this year under Ma's admin.

1. CPL Hong was killed 6 days before ORD due to ill treatment. massive rally near the presidential palace.

2. 3 tinted oil scandals within 1 yr. TW people don't know what is safe to eat anymore.

3. Sean Lien too young to become mayor. should have start from the ground up. and his super rich background don't help too. young voters very jealous of what he had and what they don't have.

[Voodooman]

KMT lost due to the economy. So many Taiwanese working overseas these days.

[Wt_know]

KMT landslide defeat is due to

 

1. unaffordable sky high property price

 

2. slow wage increase ... the talk of the year about graduate earns twd$22,000 - no eat no shit also cannot afford property

 

3. rich-poor gap getting ever huge ... as a result of kmt poor policy to manage problem 1 & 2

Edited November 30, 2014 by Wt_know

[Goldbug]

Time to fire a few Dong Feng missiles over the straits as a friendly reminder

[Vinyl]

All struggling countries in Europe welcome Chinese investments and friendly relationships and only the Taiwanese folks want to distance themselves.

 

To be honest, Taiwan's economy has been horrible for the past ten years or more and it is no fault of MYJ alone. From Lee Teng Hui to ah Bian, they have contributed nothing for the country.

 

I believe the political divide will continue to haunt them and I do feel sorry for them. The economy should come first, politics should take second stand. While Taiwan continue to regress, let's not forget to thank them for their lovely Lin Chi Ling.