Presidential election in the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 2008
The 2008 presidential election of the Republic of China took place on March 22nd. It was the fourth direct election of the President of the Republic of China to Taiwan since 1996. The main candidates were Hsieh Chang-ting of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the candidate of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Ma Ying-jeou . The winner of the election was Ma Ying-jeou, who received 58.45% of the vote. This ended the eight-year rule of the DPP.
Selection of presidential candidates in advance of the election
Pan-green coalition
Since incumbent President Chen Shui-bian (DPP) was in his second term, the constitution did not allow him to repeat office. The DPP, together with the parties of the Pan-Green coalition , had therefore nominated their candidate long in advance. Former Prime Minister and Mayor of Kaohsiung Hsieh Chang-ting emerged victorious from the internal party primaries on March 6, 2007 . He received 44% of the vote. The other three candidates, the then incumbent Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang , the DPP party chairman You Xikun and the incumbent vice president Lü Xiulian received 33.4%, 15.78% and 6.16%, respectively. According to the electoral mode regulations, this area code should only have been weighted with 30%. 70% of the weight of the vote should have been determined with a general opinion poll among the population. However, in order not to jeopardize the unity of the DPP-led party coalition, the three unsuccessful candidates waived another candidacy in favor of Hsieh Chang-ting, so that the public poll was canceled and Hsieh Chang-ting was nominated as the official candidate of the DPP. Su Tseng-chang has been nominated for the post of Vice President.
Pan-blue coalition
On May 2, 2007, the Kuomintang Central Committee nominated former party leader Ma Ying-jeou as a candidate for the presidential election. He chose Vincent Siew as his candidate for the vice presidency. The nomination was confirmed by the KMT Congress on June 24, 2007.
- The Pan-Green and Pan-Blue Coalitions for President and Vice-Presidency
Hsieh Chang-ting
DPP candidate for president
Ma Ying-jeou
Kuomintang candidate for the presidency
Su Tseng-chang
candidate of the DPP for the post of Vice-President
Vincent Siew
Kuomintang candidate for vice presidency
.jpg)
Election programs
Economic policy
In the area of economic policy, both candidates promised to stimulate economic growth. Ma Ying-jeou proposed the formation of a common market between the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China . This common market should e.g. T. also extend to workers. The proposal was rejected by Hsieh Chang-ting and the DPP, who were campaigning for a terrifying vision of a flood in Taiwan with millions of cheap labor from mainland China. In addition, Hsieh warned against the import of masses cheaper but of inferior quality, u. U. even harmful products from the People's Republic.
corruption
Both candidates and parties promised on the one hand to take vigorous action against corruption , on the other hand they accused the opposing side of taking bribes and accepting advantages. Both sides were involved in anti-corruption processes and affairs. There have been repeated accusations against President Chen Shui-bian (DPP) that he had abused his office to accept benefits. As president, however, he enjoys political immunity . As Justice Minister in the 1990s, Ma Ying-jeou enjoyed a reputation for being a clean man and a fighter against corruption. However, he was later accused of using funds for personal ends while serving as mayor of Taipei . DPP candidate Hsieh Chang-ting was also accused of irregularities and misuse of funds during his time as mayor of Kaohsiung.
Policy towards the People's Republic of China
Ma Ying-jeou and the KMT strived for a China policy based on three principles: 1. no unification with China, 2. no independence of Taiwan, 3. no use of force. Negotiations on an economic agreement and peace agreement should be conducted with the People's Republic, but not negotiations on unification or independence. The KMT rejects the maxim one country, two systems under which Hong Kong was united with the People's Republic, but wants a dialogue with the Chinese Communist Party . The DPP-led coalition emphasizes more the independence of Taiwan and would like a separate Taiwanese identity develop (more striking expression of the media attention was renamed the largest airport International Airport Chiang Kai-shek in Taipei Taoyuan International in September 2006). The DPP also advocates direct transport links between Taiwan and the mainland and opening up the market to Chinese capital and the country to mainland Chinese tourists.
The green card affair
During the election campaign, Hsieh Chang-ting accused Ma Ying-jeou of lacking loyalty to Taiwan because he had a green card . He would never have become Chiang Ching-kuo's advisor in 1977 if he had known that he was a holder of a green card and had a permanent residence permit for the USA . Ma then defended himself that he had not broken any applicable rules at the time. The DPP then accused Ma of saying that his sisters and his (US-born) daughter were even US citizens. Ma defended himself and denied allegations that he and his family had no undivided loyalty to Taiwan. Such US documents would only facilitate travel in the US. He had a green card 20 years ago, but it is no longer valid. However, Ma failed to prove this claim when President Chen Shui-bian and presidential candidate Hsieh suggested a week before the elections that they step down or withdraw their candidacy if he could prove it. In response to the “green card question” and the identity of Taiwan, the Hong Kong-born Ma Ying-jeou emphasized at the second television debate that he was a “Taiwanese” and would like to be buried in Taiwan after his death.
Television debates
For the 2008 presidential election, the first was televised debates held between presidential candidates on television and broadcast live. The first debates on February 24th selected 20 out of 456 questions, including questions about domestic and foreign policy, Taiwan-China relations, Taiwanese indigenous people, environmental policy, climate change, homosexuality and human rights. The questioners had to record themselves on video and ask the respective question. After the presidential candidates answered their question, they were allowed to ask another question. The entire televised debate lasted three hours.
The second televised debate dealt with the subjects of domestic and foreign policy, China policy and defense policy. Most of the questions were about the election manifesto of the KMT candidate Ma Ying-jeou, who wants to combine the economic markets of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China if the election is successful. For this was from within the KMT ranks the term "one China market" ( 一中市場 / 一中市场 , Yizhong Shìchǎng , English one china market ) with respect to the term " one China policy " (one china policy ) formed. However, Ma avoided this term during the election campaign.
Images of choice
The DPP's election banner reads: 五 百萬 中國 高科技 人員 將來 台 你 不 擔心 嗎 - “5 million highly skilled Chinese workers will come to Taiwan. Are you not afraid (of it)? "
Election banner of the DPP
KMT election banner
Flag and cap of the DPP
Election results
Over 17 were eligible to vote
Nationwide
Million nationals of the Republic of China. The turnout was 76.33% (13,103,963 valid votes) and was in line with expectations. 117,646 votes were invalid. Almost all pre-election polls had predicted a victory for the Kuomintang candidate. This was also confirmed on election day. The newly elected president has a two-thirds majority in parliament, as the Kuomintang won the parliamentary elections on January 12 in a landslide victory. Thus, the KMT controls the parliament with a constitutional majority and provides the government with the presidential election won, which is identical to the one-party rule before 1996.
| Candidates (President and Vice) | Political party | Constituencies | be right | percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) |
Kuomintang | 20th | 7,658,724 | 58.45% | |
| Hsieh Chang-ting (謝長廷), Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) |
DPP | 5 | 5,445,239 | 41.55% | |
| total | 25th | 13.103.963 | 100.0% | ||
Results by constituency
The following table shows the results in the 18 rural districts and seven urban districts or cities directly under the government. The winner's votes and percentage are each marked in red.
| Constituency | Hsieh · Su | Ma · Siew | Invalid | electoral participation |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| be right | % | be right | % | |||
| Taipei City (台北市) | 593.256 | 36.97% | 1,011,546 | 63.03% | 12,807 | 79.19% |
| Taipei County (台北 縣) | 866.915 | 38.94% | 1,359,419 | 61.06% | 21,169 | 78.08% |
| Keelung City (基隆市) | 72,562 | 32.27% | 152.327 | 67.73% | 1,701 | 76.09% |
| Yilan County (宜蘭 縣) | 123,700 | 48.58% | 130,951 | 51.42% | 1.991 | 73.98% |
| Taoyuan County (桃園 縣) | 379.416 | 35.36% | 693602 | 64.64% | 10,330 | 77.58% |
| Hsinchu County (新竹 縣) | 73.178 | 25.98% | 208,445 | 74.02% | 2,723 | 79.33% |
| Hsinchu City (新竹市) | 79,634 | 35.30% | 145.930 | 64.70% | 2,036 | 78.52% |
| Miaoli County (苗栗 縣) | 92,795 | 29.01% | 227.069 | 70.99% | 2,974 | 76.83% |
| Taichung County (台中 縣) | 353,706 | 41.16% | 505,698 | 58.84% | 8,761 | 76.47% |
| Taichung City (台中市) | 226,751 | 38.26% | 365.979 | 61.74% | 5,836 | 77.74% |
| Changhua County (彰化 縣) | 309.134 | 42.41% | 419,700 | 57.59% | 7,558 | 75.05% |
| Nantou County (南投 縣) | 109.955 | 37.97% | 179,630 | 62.03% | 2,467 | 72.12% |
| Yunlin County (雲林 縣) | 199,558 | 51.53% | 187.705 | 48.47% | 3,451 | 70.06% |
| Chiayi County (嘉義 縣) | 166,833 | 54.44% | 139.603 | 45.56% | 2,936 | 72.32% |
| Chiayi City (嘉義 市) | 72,442 | 47.61% | 79,713 | 52.39% | 1,154 | 76.34% |
| Tainan County (台南 縣) | 354,409 | 56.15% | 276.751 | 43.85% | 5,614 | 74.54% |
| Tainan City (台南市) | 216,815 | 49.29% | 223.034 | 50.71% | 3,843 | 76.74% |
| Kaohsiung City (高雄市) | 440.367 | 48.41% | 469.252 | 51.59% | 7.112 | 78.79% |
| Kaohsiung County (高雄 縣) | 373,900 | 51.41% | 353,333 | 48.59% | 5,859 | 76.88% |
| Pingtung County (屏東 縣) | 249,795 | 50.25% | 247,305 | 49.75% | 3.823 | 73.75% |
| Hualien County (花蓮 縣) | 40.003 | 22.52% | 137.604 | 77.48% | 1,970 | 68.85% |
| Taitung County (台東縣) | 29,714 | 26.68% | 81,668 | 73.32% | 977 | 63.18% |
| Penghu County (澎湖縣) | 18,181 | 42.07% | 25,037 | 57.93% | 363 | 60.39% |
| Kinmen (金門 縣) | 1,710 | 4.87% | 33,384 | 95.13% | 172 | 53.78% |
| Matsu Islands (連江縣) | 220 | 4.84% | 4,329 | 95.16% | 19th | 58.12% |
Voting cards
The voting cards show a similar distribution of majorities as in the 2008 legislative yuan elections . The DPP ( green ) has its focus in the south, the KMT ( blue ) in the north and east.
50.0% -59.9% for Hsieh Chang-ting 50.0% -59.9% for Ma Ying-jeou 60.0% -69.9% for Ma Ying-jeou 70.0% -79.9 % for Ma Ying-jeou
Majorities according to urban and rural communities
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Referendums on joining the United Nations
At the same time as the presidential election, two referendums were held on the country's accession to the United Nations (UN), which both major parties want. The referendum brought in by the ruling party DPP aimed for the country to join under the name of "Taiwan" and the referendum initiated by the Kuomintang wanted to join again under the official name of "Republic of China".
「1971 年 中華人民共和國 進入 聯合國 ， 取代 中華民國 ， 台灣 成為 國際 孤兒。 為 強烈 表達 台灣 人民 的 意志 ， 提升 台灣 的 國際 地位 及 參與 ， ， 您 是否 同意 政府 以「 台灣 」名義 加入 聯合國？」
“In 1971, the People's Republic of China joined the United Nations, replacing the Republic of China previously. This resulted in Taiwan becoming isolated worldwide. To express the will of the people of Taiwan that Taiwan's international status and participation in international affairs be strengthened,
do you agree that the government should seek membership in the United Nations under the name "Taiwan"? "
「您 是否 同意 我國 申請 重返 聯合國 及 加入 其它 組織 ， 名稱 採 務實 、 有 彈性 的 策略 ， 亦即 贊成 以 中華民國 名義 名義 、 或 以 台灣 台灣 名義 、 或 以 其他 有助於 成功 並 兼顧 尊嚴 的 名稱 ， 申請重返 聯合國 及 加入 其他 國際 組織？ 」
“Do you agree that our nation should seek to return to the United Nations and join international organizations, using a pragmatic, flexible strategy as to the name under which we apply and participate?
Do you agree that we apply for membership in the United Nations and join other international institutions under the name "Republic of China", or some other name that serves the success and dignity of our nation? "
| referendum |
Yes votes (in%) |
No votes (in%) |
Invalid votes (in%) |
Voter turnout (in%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 (application under the name "Taiwan") | 5,529,230 (94.0%) |
352,359 (6.0%) |
320,088 (5.2%) |
35.8% |
| Question 2 (application under the name "Republic of China") | 4,962,309 (87.3%) |
724,060 (12.7%) |
500,749 (8.1%) |
35.7% |
Both referendums failed due to insufficient participation (35.82% and 35.74%). A stake of at least 50% would have been required.
literature
- Thomas Weyrauch: Taiwan's common color. The Democratic Profile of the Republic of China . Heuchelheim: Longtai 2015, ISBN 978-3-938946-26-8 .
Web links
- Results at the Central Electoral Commission of Taiwan (Chinese)
- Radio Taiwan International on the presidential election
- Kuaile Long: Can Taiwan Still Be Independent? Readers Edition , March 29, 2008
Individual evidence
- ↑ Announcement from March 6, 2006 ( Memento of the original from April 25, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Radio Taiwan International (German Service), last accessed on March 21, 2008
- ↑ Announcement from March 7, 2006 ( Memento of the original from April 25, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Radio Taiwan International (German Service), last accessed on March 21, 2008
- ↑ News of May 2, 2007 BBC, last accessed on March 21, 2008
- ↑ Political guidelines / election campaign topics ( Memento of the original from April 25, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Radio Taiwan International
- ↑ TV debate of the presidential candidates ( memento of the original from April 24, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Radio Taiwan International , February 24, 2008
- ↑ Second television debate between Xie and Ma ( memento of the original from April 25, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Radio Taiwan International, March 9, 2008
- ↑ Announcement ( Memento of the original from April 24, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Radio Taiwan International, accessed March 22, 2008
- ↑ a b Central Election Commission of the Republic of China ( Memento of the original from March 26, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , last accessed on March 22, 2008
- ^ Opposition candidate Ma wins the election . ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Welt Online , March 22, 2008
- ↑ Both “UN referenda” failed . ( Memento of the original from April 25, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Radio Taiwan International, March 22, 2008
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