Number: RS21093
Title: Taiwan's December 2001 Elections
Authors: Kerry Dumbaugh, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: In elections on December 1, 2001, Taiwan's Nationalist Party lost its legislative majority for the first time in 50 years, dropping from 123 seats to 68. This leaves the Democratic Progressive Party with the largest bloc in the legislature, at 87 seats. As a result, current DPP President Chen Shui-bian may gain more legislative support for his policy agenda, which until now often has been blocked by the Nationalist-controlled body. The new fluidity and uncertainty on Taiwan's political scene has implications for U.S.-Taiwan-China relations.
Pages: 6
Date: Updated May 10, 2002