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January 12, 2008

Opposition Wins Landslide in Taiwan Parliamentary Election
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AE4F6C:A6F02AD83191E160326217C8682045E0F47489ACC27D21EE& Taiwan's opposition
Nationalist Party claiming 72 percent of legislative seats





Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party leader and 2008 presidential
candidate Ma Ying-jeou announces his party's more than two thirds win
in the legislative elections in Taipei, Taiwan, 12 Jan. 2008Taiwan's
opposition Nationalist Party has won a landslide victory in
parliamentary elections, claiming 72 percent of the legislative seats.

Taiwan's Central Election Commission has declared the Nationalists
winners in 81 of the 113 seats in Saturday's election.

President Chen Shui-bian stepped down as chairman of the ruling
Democratic Progressive Party after the results became clear.  He said
he accepts full responsibility for the Democratic Progressive Party's
loss.

A strong victory in the balloting is expected to give the Nationalist
Party's presidential candidate, Ma Ying-jeou, an edge in the March 22
presidential election.  Ma has been campaigning on a theme of
improving ties with China and strengthening Taiwan's stagnant economy,
which he blames on Mr. Chen's pro-independence stance.

The number of seats in Taiwan's legislature is being cut from 225 to
113.  Unlike past elections, just one person will represent each
district.

China and Taiwan split in 1949 during the Chinese civil war, and
Beijing regards the self-ruled island as part of its own territory. 
China has threatened to use force against Taiwan if it takes steps
towards formal independence.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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