Taiwan: Elections, Independence and Cross-Strait Tensions

Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian hopes the Dec. 11 Legislative Yuan elections will give his Pan-Green Alliance a majority in Parliament — a first step toward enacting independence-oriented constitutional reforms. Although Chen's coalition might achieve a slim majority, it is unlikely to win enough seats to change the constitution, though a majority would give Chen a mandate to continue his pro-independence rhetoric — ensuring that cross-strait tensions remain high.