Taiwanese voters have given the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) a huge majority in legislative elections. With a Presidential election due in March, the writing appears to be on the wall for the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The KMT is known for more friendly views towards the mainland (some of its older members still believe that the KMT is the rightful ruler of all of China) while many in the DPP would dearly love even greater separation from China starting with a formal declaration of independence.
No easing of relations with China can be expected prior to the March Presidential elections, but if the KMT win that too a thaw is possible.
For the DPP, the election will now be run on both the China relations theme and on the need to achieve some balance in government. Now the KMT has such a big majority in the legislature only a DPP President can provide balance.
