2008 Republic of China legislative election

2008 Republic of China legislative election
Election name	2008 Republic of China legislative election
Country	Republic of China (Taiwan)
Type	parliamentary
Previous election	2004 Republic of China legislative election
Previous year	2004
Next election	2012 Republic of China legislative election
Next year	2012
Seats for election	113 seats in the Legislative Yuan
Majority seats	57
Election date	12 January 2008

2008 Republic of China legislative election The 2008 legislative election in the Republic of China was held on 12 January 2008 alongside the ninth presidential election, producing a major realignment in the Legislative Yuan and altering the balance between the Kuomintang and the Democratic Progressive Party. The election introduced the new single-member district and party-list mixed electoral system established by the 2005 constitutional amendment process, affecting representation for parties such as the People First Party, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, and several minor parties and independents. Voter behavior reflected responses to the outgoing Chen Shui-bian administration, the incoming Ma Ying-jeou candidacy, and cross-strait issues involving the People's Republic of China.

Background

Reform of the Legislative Yuan followed debates in the National Assembly and the passage of constitutional amendments in 2005 that reduced the size of the legislature and altered the electoral framework; key figures in those debates included Lien Chan, Wang Jin-pyng, and Su Tseng-chang. The 2008 election occurred in a context shaped by the 2004 presidential election, the 2006 Chen Shui-bian corruption scandals, and diplomatic shifts involving the United States, Japan, and the European Union. Domestic events such as the 2007 local elections and decisions by parties like the People First Party and the Taiwan Solidarity Union influenced candidate selection and coalition strategies ahead of the vote.

Electoral system

The 2008 contest implemented the new electoral rules from the 2005 constitutional amendments and the 2007 Legislative Yuan Election and Recall Act, creating 73 single-member districts elected by first-past-the-post, 34 party-list seats allocated by proportional representation with a 5% threshold, and 6 indigenous seats using the single non-transferable vote; these changes affected seat distribution among entities including the Kuomintang, the Democratic Progressive Party, the People First Party, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, and independent candidates such as former magistrates and mayors. The redistricting process referenced administrative divisions like Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Hsinchu, and Yilan County, and relied on institutions such as the Central Election Commission and legal frameworks including the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act.

Campaign and parties

Major party campaigns centered on stances toward cross-strait relations, economic policy, and corruption; the Kuomintang campaigned on improved ties with the People's Republic of China and economic revival under leaders like Ma Ying-jeou and Eric Chu, while the Democratic Progressive Party emphasized Taiwanese sovereignty positions associated with figures such as Frank Hsieh and Tsai Ing-wen. Third parties including the People First Party led by James Soong and the Taiwan Solidarity Union led by Hsu Hsin-liang sought to carve niches in regional strongholds, while minor parties like the Green Party Taiwan, Non-Partisan Solidarity Union, and pro-independence activists organized targeted lists. Campaign incidents involved media outlets such as China Times, United Daily News, and Next Magazine, with debates held in venues involving the Taiwan Broadcasting System and the Public Television Service.

Opinion polls

Pollsters including the Taiwan Indicators Survey Research and firms like TVBS and United Daily News polling tracked voter intention across districts in New Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Miaoli County, and Pingtung County, showing fluctuating support for the Kuomintang, the Democratic Progressive Party, and the People First Party. National surveys incorporated demographic variables from municipalities such as Keelung and districts like Banqiao and indicated trends toward consolidation of pan-blue votes around the Kuomintang while the pan-green camp exhibited fragmentation among lists including the Taiwan Solidarity Union. Polling controversies involved methodology debates referencing the Central Election Commission regulations and commentary from academics at institutions such as National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica.

Results

The election resulted in a decisive victory for the Kuomintang, which won a majority of seats, while the Democratic Progressive Party suffered substantial losses; the seat counts reshaped legislative dynamics for figures like Wang Jin-pyng and opposition leaders including Frank Hsieh. The People First Party and the Taiwan Solidarity Union won minor representations, and several independents captured constituency seats in regions such as Kaohsiung and Tainan City. Voter turnout and district-level outcomes prompted analysis by scholars at National Chengchi University and commentary in outlets such as The China Post and Taipei Times, and led to scrutiny of the party-list allocation under the new proportional representation rules.

Aftermath and impact

Following the election, the Kuomintang majority facilitated legislative cooperation with new executive leadership under Ma Ying-jeou after the concurrent presidential victory, affecting cross-strait initiatives like negotiations that later involved the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement negotiations and contacts with entities in Shanghai and Beijing. The reduction in size of the Legislative Yuan and the new electoral architecture altered strategies for subsequent contests including the 2012 legislative election, influencing party reforms within the Democratic Progressive Party, membership debates in the People First Party, and the emergence of new movements represented by figures such as Tsai Ing-wen in later years. International observers from groups like the European Union and scholars from King's College London and Harvard University assessed the 2008 outcomes as a pivot point in Taiwanese electoral politics and cross-strait relations.

Category:Legislative elections in Taiwan Category:2008 elections