Dueling redrawing plans

DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh and KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou have both raised plans to redraw Taiwan's map of counties and cities. Currently, there are 25 cities and counties.

Ma's plan calls for three cities and 15 counties and a reduction in the number of villages and townships from the current count of 319 within the next eight years. Ma also supports retaining village and township elections.

Hsieh's plan would divide Taiwan into six super counties of approx. equal population (about the size of Singapore's). Resources would be distributed in such a way as to enhance the industrial focus of each region, and the government would encourage participation from outside investment and know how. While I don't believe Hsieh said anything about village and townshipe elections himself, the Executive Yuan is talking about making these officials appointed.

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In other news, Hsieh made the practical statement that any future Premier would have to be approved by the legislature if he wanted to have a chance to govern stably.