There were no major surprises in five by-elections held Saturday to fill legislative seats, with the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (KMT) grabbing three seats and the Kuomintang (KMT) two.
The by-elections on Saturday were billed as the first clash between the new chairman of the ruling Kuomintang, Eric Chu, and chairwoman of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, Tsai Ing-wen. Both Chu and Tsai are seen as presidential hopefuls even though Chu had said he would not run for president next year.
But whatever the significance for the two main parties or their leaders, the by-election results are not expected to change the balance of power in the 113-seat legislature.
The four-year term of the current legislature will end on Jan. 31, 2016.