Taiwan’s Nationalists Gain Turf

The opposition Nationalist Party thrashed the government in Taiwanese municipal elections Saturday, delivering President Chen Shui-bian a solid rebuke and easing Beijing’s fears that the government will declare independence.

The Nationalists won in 17 of Taiwan’s 23 constituencies, up from 13 in the last municipal elections four years ago.

The results establish charismatic Nationalist leader Ma Ying-jeou as the candidate to beat in the 2008 presidential election and exacerbate Chen’s standing as a lame duck.

The independence-minded Chen, who some see as a better campaigner than a leader, came on strong in the final days, hammering home his long-standing message that the Nationalists would sell out Taiwan’s interests to China.

China and Taiwan separated in 1949 after a civil war, but China views the island as a rightful part of its territory and has vowed to use military force if the Taiwanese declare independence. The Nationalists favor eventual reunification with Beijing.

Analysts and candidates said the results were less about the Nationalists’ victory over the ruling Democratic Progressive Party than about the damage the DPP inflicted on itself. Some constituents have tired of Chen’s leadership style, and a corruption scandal involving the use of Thai labor in the city of Kaohsiung’s subway has tarred the government.

“This is not a case of the Nationalists defeating the DPP, but of the DPP defeating itself,” Ma told cheering party workers.

The DPP’s arguments in the campaign failed to resonate, suggesting that voters are wary of Chen’s mercurial scare tactics, analysts said. Taiwanese also appear more open to Ma’s arguments that the Nationalists can deliver economic benefits and improve cross-strait ties without sacrificing Taiwan’s identity.

“President Chen has whipped up Taiwan’s emotions for five years now,” said Wang Su-jung, 26, a high school teacher. “We need to start focusing on more everyday issues.”

Analysts said they expected the results to lead to some soul-searching. “There will be a lot of introspection by the losers as well as the winners,” said Shelly Rigger, professor with Davidson College and author of the 1999 book “Politics in Taiwan.” “There are some big lessons here.”

With Saturday’s results, Ma answers critics who question the former Taipei mayor’s island-wide appeal, giving him a greater mandate to pursue reforms within the ossified Nationalist Party. He still faces those, however, who argue that he’s long on style but short on vision or substance.

“His speeches are boring, dry, careful and uninspiring,” said Antonio Chiang, an analyst and former Chen advisor. “It’s still a big jump from political star to effective leader.”

The outcome is likely to convince China that its increasingly savvy divide-and-conquer tactics are working against pro-independence Taiwanese.

Beijing in recent months has invited Taiwanese opposition leaders to visit, offered economic benefits to farmers, students and businesspeople and muted its saber-rattling in a bid to reach more of the island’s swing voters.

“I’ve been a pro-independence supporter,” said Lin Tse-hung, 34, a voter who has business dealings with China. “But I’m tired of the DPP’s poor economic record and Chen’s provocations. I don’t even care if Ma doesn’t do much, as long as we have someone who won’t spark more conflict.”

Times staff writer Magnier reported from Beijing and special correspondent Tsai from Taipei.