DOMESTIC POLITICS: Taiwan's political scene will be relatively stable in 2009-10, following Mr Ma's victory in the March 2008 presidential election. His victory followed the parliamentary election in January 2008, which saw the KMT secure 81 of the chamber's 113 seats. The KMT's control of both parliament and the presidency means that the main opposition DPP will be excluded from a major role in politics until 2012, when the next national elections are due to take place. Given that Taiwan's two most important political institutions will be controlled by the same party for the next few years, the implementation of economic policy should not be problematic. Nevertheless, voters are questioning Mr Ma's ability to shore up Taiwan's economy amid a very poor outlook for the global economy.

Source: Taiwan: Country outlook

Source: Country Forecast Taiwan September 2008

Source: EIU Country Data