Taiwan had its largest local election in November 2014 with a total of 11,130 positions of local government and local legislative offices decided by the voters. The ruling party suffered a humiliating defeat. This project attempts to analyze the reasons for the defeat and future implications of this election to Taiwan and mainland China

Yu, Yanmin

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AbstractTaiwan Election:Why the KMT Lost So Miserably? Dr. Yanmin Yu Mass Communication & Global Media and Communication StudiesCollege of Public and International Affairs University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CTTaiwan had its largest local election in November 2014 with a total of 11,130 positions of local government and local legislative offices decided by the voters. The ruling party suffered a humiliating defeat. This project attempts to analyze the reasons for the defeat and future implications of this election to Taiwan and mainland China.  Humiliating Defeat  • Lien Sheng-wen, privileged princeling, lost• The KMT lost large basesThe Election• Landslide victory for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)• The DPP seized 13 of 22 seats for city and county chiefs• Humiliating defeat for Kuomintang (KMT)• The KMT won only one out of six municipal cities and six out of 22 seats for city and local governments• The KMT was defeated in two of its traditional strongholds, Taipei and Taichung.• Political novelty – a surgeon without political experience become the mayor of TaipeiMessage of the Election ResultsWhy the Huge Loss?• The disconnect – The ruling party has lost trust from the public. The KMT government does not understand the needs and concerns of the public.• The elite – Arrogant and out of touch. The KMT takes for granted its loyal members.• The youth – With a turnout rate over 70% among people of 20-29 years of age, the youth voice is loud and clear.• The Sunflower Movement – People’s disapproval of Ma Ying-jeou’s trade agreements with Mainland China.AAAAAABBBBBB1. A referendum on the KMT2. A referendum on Ma Ying-jeou’spresidency3. A referendum on KMT’s mainland China policy4. Young people have not given up completely5. It is not a guarantee to win when the candidate is young, with enormous resources, well-connected, tech-savvy, and utilizing social media6. Peaceful democracy is possibleMa Ying-jeou Resignes as the Party ChairmanDDDDDCCCCCConclusionMartial Law imposed in Taiwan in 1949. For nearly four decades there was no freedom of the press, no freedom to form any new political parties, and no opposing voice was allowed. Many political dissidents were sent to jail during that time. Martial Law was ended in 1987. The road to democracy in Taiwan was not easy, but it carried all the necessary components for a successful democracy.

Taiwan Election: Why the KMT Lost So Miserably?

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Taiwan Election: Why the KMT Lost So Miserably?

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