Taiwan's parliament picks the lawmakers who control committee agendas next week, and the result looks like a split that leaves neither main party in charge.

• Each of the eight standing committees elects two conveners on Oct. 8, and the seat math points to one slot each for the KMT and the DPP.
• Conveners set committee agendas, which is why these posts are fought over so hard every session.
• The KMT has candidates lined up for seven committees and has yet to settle on one for judiciary affairs.
• The open question is whether the KMT again hands one slot to the smaller TPP, which is still being negotiated between the two.
• The DPP is lining up its picks by petition so its side of the vote can be wrapped up quickly.

Outlook: Expect a KMT–DPP split across the committees, with the KMT–TPP deal the only real suspense before the Oct. 8 vote.