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Taiwan's opposition KMT votes to elect new chief
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-16 09:00
"The voters are to decide who has the power to rebuild the Kuomintang's
image, shattered in the humiliating 2000 "presidential election" setback, and
restore confidence among party supporters," said Chang Lin-cheng who teaches
political science at National Taiwan University.
"Lawmaker" Wang Jin-pyng | The KMT's 51-year grip on power was broken by Chen's election in 2000, and
his re-election last year put the opposition further adrift amid rifts within
its ranks.
Soft-spoken Wang, a "lawmaker" since 1976, has strong experience of dealing
with powerful conglomerates, lobbying groups and grassroot factions.
In contrast, 55-year-old Ma has distanced himself from business groups and
avoided political bargaining. His efforts to crack down on corruption cost him
his job as "justice minister" in 1996 but won him admiration from voters.
But, despite pledges by both camps to run a clean race, the campaign has been
somewhat marred by allegations of irregularities, which both have denied.
Saturday's winner will succeed Lien Chan, who twice ran unsuccessfully for
"president" and has made it clear he will retire from domestic politics in
August and devote himself to improving cross-Straits relations.
The immediate challenge for the new leader is to coordinate with the People
First Party and the New Party, which together with the Kuomintang form the
so-called Pan Blue Alliance, ahead of regional elections in December.
KMT officials expect a turnout of between 40 and 50 percent. Vote counting
will begin right after polling booths close and early returns would be available
within two hours, they said.
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