The Kuomintang is seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Almost eight years after Taiwan's voters pushed it out of power, what was once Asia's oldest, richest and longest-ruling political party is shaping up for a comeback.

Widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling Democratic Progressive party, a sluggish economy, and his own charisma have given Ma Ying-jeou, the KMT's candidate, a 15-20 percentage point lead in opinion polls ahead of March presidential elections. The KMT is an even clearer favourite in legislative elections scheduled for January 12.