In March 2000, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Chen Shui-bian became the first opposition party candidate to win the presidency. His victory resulted in the first-ever transition of the presidential office from one political party to another in the ROC. The election also had the effect of splitting the KMT's support base. James Soong launched an independent bid for the presidency after failing to be nominated by the party. In response the KMT expelled Soong and his supporters. Soong and his supporters blamed then-KMT Chairman Lee Teng-hui of harboring pro-independence sentiments and purposely trying to aid Chen Shui-bian by splitting the KMT's vote by running the less charismatic Lien Chan along with Soong. After losing the vote narrowly to Chen and ahead of Lien, Soong established the People First Party. Lee Teng-hui was soon forced out of the KMT Chairmanship amid popular protests and riots demanding he take responsibility for the KMT's defeat.
in march 2000 democratic progressive party candidate chen shui-bian became the first opposition party candidate to win the presidency his victory resulted in the first-ever transition of the presidential office from one political party to another in the roc the election also had the effect of splitting the kmt's support base james soong launched an independent bid for the presidency after failing to be nominated by the party in response the kmt expelled soong and his supporters soong and his supporters blamed then-kmt chairman lee teng-hui of harboring pro-independence sentiments and purposely trying to aid chen shui-bian by splitting the kmt's vote by running the less charismatic lien chan along with soong after losing the vote narrowly to chen and ahead of lien soong established the people first party lee teng-hui was soon forced out of the kmt chairmanship amid popular protests and riots demanding he take responsibility for the kmt's defeat