As W.E. predicted, KMT President Ma Ying-jeou won a fairly close election against DPP challenger Tsai Ing-wen. With a 74% turnout rate, Ma won with about 780,000 votes, or 4-5 percent over Tsai, 51.5% to her 45.6%. In Tsai’s concession speech, she resigned as DPP chair to take responsibility for her party’s defeat; supporters could be seen at the rally crying in frustration.
Ma, in an acceptance speech delivered in the drizzling rain, thanked his wife Chow Mei-ching for always challenging him, and Taiwan voters, adding that his administration would meet with other parties every six months. Although there were several running, Green Party candidates garnered too few votes to even show up in initial media reports.
Why wasn’t the election closer, is one interesting question. As it turns out People First Party candidate James Soong captured less of the vote (less than 3%) than the expected 4-5% he was polling at before. Perhaps these Soong voters ended up voting for Ma after all. Former (DPP) Vice President Annette Lu opined that pre-election polls had not taken into account the 200,000 or so Taiwanese factory owners in China who flew back to Taiwan to vote in the election.
In the legislature, the KMT won 64 out of 113 seats in the Legislative Yuan, versus 40 for the DPP, retaining its majority.
According to the Financial Times:
Ma described his victory as “a vote for clean government, peace, and prosperity for Taiwan.”
“You have told me, in the clearest voice possible, to continue on my current path,” he added.
Mr Ma’s victory will probably be welcomed by Beijing and Washington because he has promised to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. During his first term in office, Mr Ma engineered a dramatic turnround in relations and greatly reduced tension with China.
International Committee on Fair Elections in Taiwan
Press Release
January 13, 2012
Head of International Election Observation Mission
Expresses Concern at Remarks by Former US Official
In an interview with a Taiwanese television station on January 12, Douglas Paal, a former Taipei director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), made several comments about Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Tsai Ing-wen’s policies towards China, including describing her “Taiwan consensus” proposal as impractical.
In a press conference today, former US Senator and former Governor of Alaska Frank Murkowski, currently in Taiwan as head of the election observation delegation organized by the International Committee for Free Elections in Taiwan (ICFET), stated that the remarks made by Paal were “inappropriate to say the least.” Senator Murkowski also telephoned current AIT Taipei Director William Stanton to convey his personal concern. At the press conference, he said, “I challenge the credibility of Mr. Paal to speak for me or my government, or for the vast majority of Americans.”
Accompanied by ICFET Chairman Peng Ming-Min and Vice Chairman Wu Li-Pei, Senator Murkowski criticized Paal for coming to Taiwan at the invitation of a KMT-affiliated institute to “observe” the elections and making such comments. He particularly said Paal’s assertion that the opinion leaked to the Financial Times last fall was the “private feeling of senior administration officials generally” is “inappropriate editorializing to say the least.” Senator Murkowski noted that Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell had already clearly denied the Financial Times report.
Senator Murkowski said that, this morning when he read the reports in the Taipei Times and China Post about Paal’s remarks, he was concerned that this would be misinterpreted as reflecting US policy. He stated, “I take strong issue any inference that US policy towards Taiwan favors any candidate or party over the others. AIT Director Stanton, with whom I talked today, has made the AIT’s position clear that the US remains strictly neutral.”
Senator Murkowski concluded, “I speak today solely as a private US citizen, but based on my experience off 22 years in the US Senate and as former Governor of Alaska, I challenge the credibility of Mr. Paal to speak for me or my government, or for the vast majority of Americans who have great admiration for the progress Taiwan has made in advancing its democracy. This election is about the people of Taiwan making a choice of parties or candidates free of any undue influence. It is about the choice between change and the status quo. That is a choice for the people of Taiwan. Whatever they decide, we wish them well.”
ICFET was initiated by former Presidential Advisor Dr. Peng Ming-Min, and members of the Committee include current and former MPs from Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the US, as well as scholars and experts from around the world. ICFET organized a 24-member international observation mission to come to Taiwan for these elections, led by Senator Murkowski. The mission visited campaign headquarters and observed campaign activities from all three major parties in northern, central, and southern Taiwan.
On Sunday, January 15, at 10:45 am, the mission will hold a press conference at the Howard Plaza Hotel to announce its preliminary findings.
For further information about ICFET and these elections:
http://www.taiwanelections.org/
TSAI ING-WEN’S CONCESSION SPEECH: (ENGLISH BELOW)
蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen
對於今天2012年總統選舉的結果，我們承認敗選，也願意接受台灣人民在這次選舉裡面所做的決定，並向大家致上最深的歉意。我們恭喜馬總統。希望他在往後四年，要傾聽人民的聲音，要用心執政，要公平的照顧每一個人民，千萬不要辜負人民的期待。
我知道此刻大家的心情。今天，我相信有很多人原本期待勝利，但是，現實不盡如人意。但是，我們要堅強，我們一定要比誰都堅強。我們是民進黨，我們過去在面對挫折的時候，我們從來沒有倒下過。以前不會，這一次也一定不會。
四年前，我們曾經是這麼的絕望，但是，我們咬著牙，整個黨團結在一起，在這四年，一步一步的往前走。
這樣的結果很遺憾，但我們不是一無所有：我們對小額募款的堅持，樹立了新的政治典範。我們提出的政策主張，在台灣未來的發展中，依然扮演關鍵的力量。
雖然我們未來沒有辦法執政，來實踐理想；但不代表在野就沒有力量。台灣不能沒有反對的聲音、不能沒有制衡的力量。我相信，只要大家繼續站在我們身後，給我們支持，給我們鞭策，我們一定還有未來！下一次，我們一定可以走完最後一哩路！
民進黨的轉型跟改革，不會停止。我們堅持和弱勢人民站在一起，我們堅持政策理性，我們堅持以小額募款擺脫對財團的依賴。我們會一直做下去，總有一天，我們會贏得多數人民的信任，這條路比我們想像得更漫長，我們還可以做得更好。面對今天的結果，民進黨會認真的做檢討，會把它當作警惕。
敗選的責任，由我一肩扛起來。我宣布辭去民主進步黨的黨主席。我相信，下一任的黨主席，一定會堅持，繼續堅持民進黨的改革轉型，帶領大家繼續走下去。
最後，蔡英文感謝大家一路相伴。這四年，是很美好的旅程，我們一起並肩作戰，在我的心中，你們不只是投票給我的人，你們是我最好的夥伴。
今晚，我相信大家都很難過。你可以哭泣，但不要洩氣。你可以悲傷，但是不要放棄。我們要像過去四年一樣勇敢並充滿著希望。因為，我們必須勇敢地扛起責任，我們必須繼續為台灣這塊土地打拼。無論我們在哪個位置上，這個國家，都需要我們繼續愛她、呵護她。
各位親愛的台灣人民，有一天，我們會再回來。在2012年的這一天，支持民進黨，支持蔡英文，我相信是一件驕傲的事。我們抬起頭，堅強勇敢的走下去。謝謝大家，我的心會永遠跟台灣人民站在一起。
For today the 2012 presidential election results, we recognize the electoral defeat, and is willing to accept Taiwan people did decide this election, and to you by the deepest apology. We congratulate President Ma.
Hope he’s in the next four years, to listen to the voice of the people, power, taking care of everyone to be fair to the people, do not let people look forward to. I know everyone’s mood at the moment. Today, I believe that many people expected victory, however, the reality is not satisfactory. However, we must be strong, we must be stronger than anyone. We are a Democratic Progressive Party, when we are faced with the setback in the past, we’ve never fallen before.
Not before, this one was definitely not.
Four years ago, we used to be so desperate, but we bite his teeth, the entire party together, during these four years, step by step ahead. Such results are regrettable, but we’re not nothing at all: our insistence on small donations and established a new political paradigm.
Our policy, Taiwan’s future development, continues to play a key strength. Although there is no way to power our future, to practice ideal; but it doesn’t mean there would be no opposition forces. Taiwan cannot be no dissenting voices, without checks and balances of power. I believe that as long as we continue to stand behind us, give us support, give us encouragement, we must also have a future!
Next, we will be able to walk the last mile road! Transformation of the Democratic Progressive Party with the reform, will not be stopped. We adhere to the vulnerable people and stand together, we adhere to the policy reason, we adhere to the micro-donations out of their dependence on Consortium. We will carry on, one day, we will win the majority of the people’s trust, it’s way more than we think long, we could have done better.
Facing today’s results, the DPP will carefully review and will use it as a guard. Responsibility for electoral defeat, by my shoulder up. I announced his resignation as Chairman of the Party of the Democratic Progressive Party.
I believe that the next President of the party, will persist, continue to uphold the Democratic Progressive Party reform in transition, you keep going. Finally, Tsai Ying-Wen thank you all the way.
This four-year journey is great, we fought together, in my heart, you who are not just vote for me, you are my best friend. Tonight, I think we were very disappointed. You can cry, but don’t lose heart. You can be sad, but don’t give up. We want to be like the past four years as brave and full of hope. Because we must be brave to carry the responsibility, we must continue to Taiwan this land is out.
Regardless of what position we, in this country, we need to continue to love her and protect her. Dear Taiwan people, and one day we will come back again. This day in 2012, support the DPP, supported Tsai, I believe it is a matter of pride. We looked up and strong and brave going down. Thank you, my heart will always be with the Taiwan people to stand together. (Translated by Bing)
Another local paper’s take on the story:
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou declares victory in 2012 presidential election
Tsai Ing-wen offers resignation as DPP chairwoman
Taiwan News, Staff Writer
2012-01-14 08:15 PM
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – President Ma Ying-jeou declared victory at 8:12 p.m. Saturday in his search for a second and final term as television stations reported he received more than half the votes.
If the Central Election Commission confirms the result, it means Ma overcame a strong challenge from opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen despite widespread disaffection with his handling of the economy and his rapid rapprochement with China. The candidacy of People First Party Chairman James Soong was also expected to draw votes away from Ma.
Taiwan’s television stations said Ma won about 6.88 million votes or 51.6 percent, with Tsai receiving about 6.08 million votes or 45.6 percent and Soong 369,000 votes or 2.8 percent. All figures still had to be confirmed by the CEC.
Opinion polls in the months leading up to polling day had shown Ma and Tsai neck-and-neck, with Soong averaging about 10 percent. In 2008, Ma defeated the DPP’s Frank Hsieh by 58 percent to 41 percent.
During the afternoon, results broadcast by television stations initially showed a lead for Tsai, but once Ma forged ahead, the percentages stayed
Preliminary results from TV stations showed a clear chasm between Northern and Southern Taiwan. In the North, Tsai only won Ilan County, while in the South she reportedly came first in Kaohsiung, Tainan, Pingtung, Yunlin, Chiayi County and Chiayi City.
Ma appeared at his election headquarters in Taipei City at 20:12 p.m. to declare victory in front of a throng of enthusiastic supporters shouting “Ma Ying-jeou, I love you” in the pouring rain. “This is not Ma Ying-jeou’s victory, this is the victory of the Taiwanese people,” he said.
The president interpreted his apparent victory as encouragement to continue on the path he began.
Relations with “China will be even more harmonious, we need sustainable peaceful environment,” he said.
Turning to the opposition, he said he had heard their criticisms and would evaluate their ideas despite their different angle. He said he would invite the opposition leaders once every six months and evaluate which of their policies he could apply. Each month he would also sit down with social groups, he said.
Ma also promised an expansion of international activities and ended his speech with thanks to prominent KMT leaders and to his wife.
Minutes later, Tsai accepted her defeat and told an international news conference that her campaign had lacked resources. She offered her resignation as chairwoman of the DPP to take responsibility.
During a campaign dominated by economic and social issues, Ma faced blame for high unemployment, the widening gap between rich and poor, and waste of public money on prestige projects. The DPP said he was sacrificing Taiwan’s sovereignty for the sake of better relations with China.
Ma, who is also chairman of the ruling Kuomintang, said he could promise more stability during the next four years, more economic development and the continued improvement of links with Beijing. During his first term, the Ma administration signed a ream of agreements with China, including a contested Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.
Ma’s speech (see below for Bing translation): 中華民國總統馬英九(Republic Of China,Taiwan President Ma Ying Jeou)
恭喜大家，我們贏了！這不是馬英九個人的勝利，而是臺灣人民的勝利，是一條追求清廉、繁榮、與和平的台灣路線的勝利。台灣人民給了我清楚的訊息，要我繼續朝這樣的路線堅持下去；台灣人民也給了我明確的使命，要我盡力完成創造台灣新歷史所需要的改革。我在這裡要感謝大家給我的支持，我也承諾，未來四年我會全力以赴，絕對不會辜負大家對我的期許！
這次，我們獲得連任，最主要的原因，是人民肯定了我們杜絕貪腐、堅持清廉的努力；肯定了我們開放鬆綁，振興經濟的努力；肯定了我們擱置爭議，追求兩岸和平，把危機變成轉機的努力；肯定了我們正派有效的活路外交，贏得國際社會的肯定與支持，讓台灣人民可以免簽證遨遊世界。
但是在這當中還有更多殷切的期許，人民希望我們在照顧弱勢族群之外，要更重視分配的正義，努力縮短貧富差距；更重視青年就業和實現夢想的機會；更重視生態保育和農漁業的永續經營；更重視人民對政府施政的感受。我在此保證，一定會努力去做，不達目標，絕不停止。
這次，我們贏得了勝利，但就像四年前一樣，大家高興一個晚上就好了。
在競選過程中，英九有機會聽到蔡英文主席和宋楚瑜主席的寶貴意見，他們看事情的角度，或許和我不一樣，然而關心台灣的用心，卻是一致的，我要深深感謝他們。選舉過程中，他們提出了許多意見，給了我不少檢討反省的空間，我會認真看待、仔細評估，只要是對台灣人民有利的意見，我一定採納。未來，至少每半年，英九也將邀請朝野政黨領袖會面，針對重要議題凝聚共識，共同為台灣的黃金十年攜手打拚。
這次的選舉中，我走遍台灣各地，不斷的傾聽與反省，在四年執政之中，有哪些成果被人民肯定，有哪些疏失被人民詬病，有哪些被誤解，有哪些要加強，我都一一記在心裡，會謙虛的改進修正。
在我贏得連任的此刻，我向大家承諾：未來四年，台灣的弱勢民眾，會得到更多的照顧；未來四年台灣經濟會有結構性的改革，會有更廣大的發展空間；未來四年兩岸關係會更和諧、更互信，誤解衝突的機率會降到最低。未來四年台灣人民會有更多的機會參與國際事務，可以更方便、更有尊嚴地，世界走透透，開拓視野、交流文化、拓展商機。未來四年，我會大刀闊斧的推動改革，讓臺灣脫胎換骨，為台灣長治久安、公平正義與永續發展，打下堅實的基礎。我會以生命捍衛中華民國主權、臺灣安全、與台灣人民的尊嚴。這是我對台灣人民最莊嚴的承諾。
在這裡，英九要特別謝謝蕭副總統一路扶持相挺，常常在關鍵時刻，提出關鍵對策，讓我們渡過難關。
我也要謝謝吳敦義院長接受我的託付，擔當起行政院長的重任，並成功的處理了災後重建、疫情控制與經濟復甦，並將與我在未來四年並肩作戰。
我也要謝謝連榮譽主席、吳榮譽主席、王金平院長和所有幫助我、支持我、鼓勵我、包容我的黨內長輩、先進與夥伴。
我還要謝謝我的家人，謝謝美青，她一直是我從政最大的支持力量，也是我們家「永遠的反對黨」，總是嚴格監督我，提出最犀利的批評與建議。
我也要感謝過去和我一起打拚的執政團隊同仁，以及辛勞奔走的選戰夥伴們，還有千千萬萬熱情相挺、無私奉獻的志工朋友們。
最後，我再一次感謝投票給我的朋友們，感謝你們堅定的信任我，給我溫暖的支持。讓我有機會為全台灣人民，再服務四年。
下個禮拜就是農曆新年了！我在此預祝大家，龍年行大運，台灣平安幸福，中華民國國運昌隆！
Congratulations to you, we won! This is not emphasising the person’s victory, but Taiwan a victory for the people, is a pursuit of clean, prosperous, and peaceful Taiwan the road victory. Taiwan people gave me a clear message and asked me to continue in such a route stick; Taiwan people also gave me a clear mission, I am trying to complete the create Taiwan new history needed reform.
I’m here to thank you for giving my support, I also promised, the next four years, I will go all out and will not live up to all of my expectations!
This, we obtained re-election, most main of causes, is people certainly has we put an end to corruption rot, and adhere to clean of efforts; certainly has we open managed to, revitalization economic of efforts; certainly has we shelved dispute, pursuit strait peace, to crisis became turn of efforts; certainly has we decent effective of means diplomatic, won international social of certainly and support, let Taiwan people can from visa traveling world. But it’s got more ardent expectations, people want us to take care of the disadvantaged groups in addition to the justice to assign greater importance to, efforts to shorten the gap, more attention to youth employment and opportunities to achieve their dreams, more attention to conservation and sustainable management of fisheries; to focus more on the people feel about the Government.
I assure, will try to be, not up to the target and never stopped.
This time, we won, but just as four years ago, everybody happy night like a. During the campaign, Ying-jeou President and James Soong, Chairman of the opportunity to hear Tsai Ing-wen comments, their point of looking at things, perhaps, and I do not like, however, concerned about Taiwan’s intentions, but it is consistent, I would like to deeply thank them. In the electoral process, they have made many suggestions, give me a lot of reviews of reflection space, I will seriously, carefully evaluated, as long as the Taiwan people’s favourable opinion, I have adopted.
The future, at least every six months, Ying-jeou will be invited to meet ruling and opposition party leaders, consensus on important topics together for the Taiwan Golden Decade to work hand in hand.
In this election, I passed through Taiwan, constantly listen to and reflect on, in the midst of a four-year ruling, what were people, people of which gross negligence is blamed, which has been misunderstood, which should be strengthened, I have in mind, modest Amendment. I won re-election at this moment, I pledge to you: the next four years, Taiwan’s vulnerable populations will receive more care; the next four years, Taiwan economic structural reform, there will be a broad space for development; the next four years, cross-strait relations are more harmonious, more mutual trust, minimizing the chance of misunderstanding conflict. The next four years, Taiwan people will have more opportunities to participate in international affairs can be more convenient and more dignified, admit of the world, broaden their horizons, communication culture, explore business opportunities. The next four years, I’ll bold reform, Taiwan transformed into Taiwan long-term peace and stability, justice and sustainable development, and lay a solid foundation. I to defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China, Taiwan security, and the Taiwan people’s dignity.
This is me on the Taiwan people’s most solemn commitments.
In this case, Ying-jeou to Xie Xiexiao Vice President support phase all the way, often at a critical time, raised key strategies, let us ride out the storm.
I would also like to thank President Wu Den-yih accept my trust, shoulder the heavy task of Premier, and successful treatment of the post-disaster reconstruction, outbreak control and recovery, and fought side by side with me in the next four years.
I would also like to thank you for even the President of the Honorary President, Honorary Chairman Wu, Wang Jinping and all help me, support me, encourage me, wrap my elders, advanced and partners within the party.
I would also like to thank my family, thank you Mei Tsing, she has been my biggest support in politics, as well as “eternal opposition”, is always strictly supervise me, make most incisive criticism and suggestions.
I would also like to thank my colleagues worked hard for the ruling team, as well as hard around election partners, there are thousands of passionate, selfless dedication of volunteers and friends. In conclusion, I once again, thank you to vote for my friends, thank you firmly believe in me, give me the warm support.
Gives me the opportunity for the entire Taiwan people, then four years of service. Next week is the Chinese new year! I wish you, the Dragon games, Taiwan peace and happiness, the Republic of China perspective changlong! (Translated by Bing)